Marlboro, Kent, Parliament - the main brand contraband cigarettes

Writes "Izvestia" newspaper, according to the State Customs Committee, in recent months the incidence of smuggling cigarettes across the border. And if even a few years ago, the lion's share of tobacco smuggling accounted for imports, in the near future Russia may become a major supplier of illegal cigarettes Belarusians, Ukrainians, and even countries of Western Europe. Recently, however, Russian ports only used as trans-shipment points. According to the MOE, which cause "Izvestia", in Russia in 2001 were made nearly 400 billion cigarettes. In fact, as claimed by the leading manufacturers - at 80 billion cigarettes less. In turn, consumption is estimated at 300-320 billion pieces. Specialists tend to believe that between 40 and 80 billion pieces variance in the shadow sector within the country or exported to neighboring Ukraine and Belarus. In the SCC recognize that accurate assessment of contraband not to, but the unofficial figures, smuggling of cigarettes is about 20% of the illegally imported and exported goods from the country.