Results from a large study released by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in Mexico City on May 31, 2019 show that the scale of illicit cigarette trade in Mexico is much lower (8.8%) than what the tobacco industry claims (17%). As the research reveals, illicit trade is clearly not the reason to slow down on increasing excise taxes in Mexico.
The study triangulated information collected from littered cigarette packs and through a survey of smokers in eight large agglomerations across Mexico. The large scale of the study makes it the most comprehensive and rigorous study of illicit cigarette ever conducted.
The American Cancer Society and the IGTC at Johns Hopkins, with funds from the Bloomberg Philanthropies, sponsored the research. INSP researchers collaborated with researchers from the American Cancer Society’s Economic and Health Policy Research, as well as from the National Commission against Addictions (CONADIC) and the PanAmerican Health Organization (PAHO).
To access the Spanish-only factsheet, click here.