Asia Illicit Tobacco Report
IllicitTobacco.OxfordEconomics.com
Prepared by Oxford Economics
Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2017
llicit Incidence in 2017 was estimated at 14.6% across the 16 markets covered by the Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator, leading to a combined USD 5.8 billion in estimated Tax Loss for governments.
Now in its sixth year of publication, the Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator research programme is an unparalleled tool for policymakers and other stakeholders, providing a comprehensive overview of illicit tobacco consumption and the impact it has on government revenues across 16 markets in Asia.
Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2016
The 16 markets covered by this report lost a combined USD 5.6billion in tax revenues due to Illicit Consumption in 2016, with one in every six cigarettes consumed estimated to be illicit.
The fifth edition of the Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator, this report provides an in-depth analysis of illicit tobacco consumption and the impact it has on government revenues across Asia in 2016. It serves as a unique tool for policymakers and interested stakeholders on the evolution of illicit trade in the region.
Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2015
One in seven cigarettes consumed in 2015 across 17 Asian markets was illicit, resulting in an estimated USD 4.5 billion in lost government revenues
The Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator series provides an in-depth analysis on evolving trends in illicit consumption and its impact on government revenues across the region, serving as a unique tool for policymakers and interested stakeholders. Now it its fourth year of production, the Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2015 report has once again extended the analysis to cover 17 markets in Asia-Pacific region.
Asia-16 - Illicit tobacco indicator
In 2014, 9.2% of all cigarettes consumed in Asia-16 were illicit, equivalent to an estimated 77.2 billion cigarettes.
Asia-16 represents the latest release of the Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator series, further expanding the analysis on illicit trade in cigarettes across the region by including new markets Macao and South Korea. Now in its third year, the Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator series provides an in-depth analysis on evolving trends in illicit consumption and its impact on government revenues across Asia, serving as a unique tool for policymakers and interested stakeholders.
Asia-14 - Illicit tobacco indicator
In 2013, over 760 billion cigarettes were consumed in Asia-14, almost 11% of this is estimated to have been illicit.
This study is an update and expansion of our previous report ‘Asia-11 Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2012’ with coverage extended to include Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, resulting in full coverage of the 10 ASEAN member countries plus Australia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Taiwan. This report provides an overview of the nature of the illicit trade of cigarettes across 14 markets and and the impact this has on tobacco tax revenue, as well as tracking developments in the illicit trade of cigarettes between 2012 and 2013 in the 11 markets included in the previous study.
Asia-11 - Illicit tobacco indicator: Philippines update
Excise rates rise; increased levels of illicit consumption offset subsequent drop in sales
This report, produced by the International Tax and Investment Center and Oxford Economics, explores Illicit Consumption of cigarettes, and the associated government revenue losses, in the Philippines in 2013.
Asia-11 - Illicit tobacco indicator
In 2012, 9% of cigarettes consumed in the Asia-11 markets were illicit.
This report, produced by the International Tax and Investment Center and Oxford Economics, provides an overview of the nature of the illicit trade of cigarettes across 11 Asian markets (including Australia). It establishes credible estimates of consumption of illicit cigarettes and the impact this has on tobacco tax revenue.
Study Highlights the Philippines as Country with the Fastest Growth in Illicit Cigarettes
- Philippines’ illicit cigarette consumption almost tripled in 2013; mainly attributed to domestically-produced illicit cigarettes
- Accounts for 34.5% of all total illicit cigarettes consumed in ASEAN countries during 2013, and is second only to Vietnam with 39%
- Almost one in five cigarettes in the Philippines is found to be illicit, leading to an estimated loss in tax revenue of USD368 million
Singapore September 11, 2014 – The Philippines is the fastest-growing and now one of the top two illicit cigarette markets within ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Consumption of illicit cigarettes grew by 198% from 2012 to 2013 according to a newly-released study.

Philippines illicit tobacco report in the media
Philippines lost nearly P16-B on illegal cigarette sales in 2013 - study
ABS News | June 5, 2014
The Asia-11 illicit tobacco report in the media
Illicit trade of tobacco products
Vietnam TV | November 17, 2013
Illicit trade a threat to APEC economies
Jakarta Post | November 18, 2013
Non-duty paid tobacco brands flood market
The Nation | November 10, 2013
Malaysian Tax Revenue Going Up in Smoke
The Wall Street Journal | October 2, 2013
Govt urged to understand size, implications of illicit tobacco trade
The Sun Daily | September 30, 2013