This is a critique of a Philip Morris International funded study on illicit tobacco trade, “The Asia-11Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2012” conducted by the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC) and Oxford Economics (OE) released in September 2013.
This Asia-11 report, while claiming to be done by independent researchers, was prepared according to terms of reference provided by Philip Morris Asia Ltd, while the ITIC itself is funded by the major transnational tobacco companies. The main conclusions of the report echo the assertions of tobacco companies, such as countries with high taxes on tobacco also had the highest volumes of illicit cigarettes.
For further information please contact Mary Assunta atmary.assunta@cancer.org.au
