Case studies in international tobacco surveillance: cigarette smuggling in Brazil
Case studies in international tobacco surveillance: cigarette smuggling in Brazil
Data
2002
Autores
Shafey, O
Cokkinides, V
Cavalcante, T M
Teixeira, M
Vianna, C
Thun, M
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tobacco Control
Resumo
Objective: This article is the first in a series of international case studies developed by the American
Cancer Society to illustrate use of publicly available surveillance data for regional tobacco control.
Design: A descriptive analysis of Brazil and Paraguay cigarette production and trade data from offi-
cial sources.
Methods: Per capita cigarette consumption for Brazil and its neighbour was calculated from 1970 to
1998 using data on production, imports, and exports from NATIONS, the National Tobacco
Information Online System.
Results: A 63% decrease was observed in the estimate of per capita consumption of cigarettes in Bra-
zil between 1986 and 1998 (from 1913 cigarettes per person in 1986 to 714 cigarettes per person
in 1998) and a 16-fold increase in Paraguay was observed during the same period (from 678 ciga-
rettes per person in 1986 to 10 929 cigarettes per person in 1998). Following Brazil’s 1999 passage
of a 150% cigarette export tax, cigarette exports fell 89% and Brazil’s estimated per capita consump-
tion rose to 1990 levels (based on preliminary data). Per capita consumption in Paraguay also fell to
1990 levels.
Conclusions: These trends coincide with local evidence that large volumes of cigarettes manufactured
in Brazil for export to Paraguay are smuggled back and consumed as tax-free contraband in Brazil. It
is hoped that this case study will draw wider public attention to the problems that smuggling presents
for tobacco control, help identify other countries confronting similar issues, and stimulate effective inter-
ventions.
Description
Palavras-chave
Brazil, Commerce / legislation & jurisprudence*, Crime / legislation & jurisprudence*, Humans, Paraguay, Smoking / epidemiology, Smoking / legislation & jurisprudence*, Smoking Prevention, Taxes / legislation & jurisprudence*, Tobacco Industry / legislation & jurisprudence*
Citação
Shafey O, Cokkinides V, Cavalcante TM, Teixeira M, Vianna C, Thun M. Case studies in international tobacco surveillance: cigarette smuggling in Brazil. Tob Control. 2002 Sep;11(3):215-9. doi: 10.1136/tc.11.3.215