Analytics, Baltic States – CIS, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Society, Transport

Meanwhile, 44% of residents have not purchased any type of contraband items in the past year and do not know of any friends or relatives who have, while another 31% stated that they too have not purchased any contraband items, but now either friends or relatives who have. 4% of respondents said that they do not know if they have purchased contraband items the past year.

Furthermore, 30% of resident believe that the purchase of contraband goods is nothing that should be condemned, while 55% believe that this is something that should be condemned. 15% did not have a point of view on this matter.

The survey was carried out from September 24 to 29 via the Internet. 1,005 respondents aged 18 to 74 were surveyed.

As reported, the illegal cigarette market in Latvia is at around 30% at the moment, the head of the State Revenue Service's Customs Criminal Department Edijs Ceipe informed.

Most of the contraband cigarette are smuggled in from Belarus – 66.9%, followed by Russia – 29.8%, Kyrgysztan – 1%, Lithuania – 0.4%.

The contraband cigarettes from Belarus are smuggled into the country mostly be rail or road transportation, but from Russia – by rail, road and sea.

In the first eight months of the year, law enforcement institutions have confiscated a138.9 million illegal cigarettes. During the same period last year, 130.1 million cigarettes were confiscated, but in 2013 – 83.94 million.

Ceipe pointed out that when compared to 2010, illegal cigarettes in the whole cigarette market has reduced by nine%, which is a stable reduction. The State Revenue Service also points out that an increase in the retail trade of cigarettes have been observed the past several years.