{
  "id": 13964763,
  "title": "Gijs de Best urges shared enforcement to curb illicit trade",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/gijs-de-best-urges-shared-enforcement-to-curb-illicit-trade",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T13:00:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/12/gijs-de-best-urges-shared-enforcement-to-curb-illicit-trade"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gijs de Best, President of South Asia, Indochina, CIS and Middle East and Africa at Philip Morris International, argues that tackling illicit trade requires countries to share intelligence, align policy and enforce rules across borders. Smugglers do not stop at borders as rules change; criminal networks move products and money across jurisdictions, often bypassing national boundaries. De Best, who oversees a region of fast-growing markets, believes that if criminal networks operate across borders, governments must do the same, sharing intelligence and coordinating enforcement when designing policies. The cost of illicit trade includes lost government revenue, which can be reinvested in healthcare, education, and infrastructure. In Europe, illicit cigarettes cost governments €22.4 billion annually, accounting for over a tenth of cigarettes consumed. Illicit trade also puts pressure on legitimate businesses and consumers, as illicit products lack quality standards and safety protocols. The issue extends beyond Europe, affecting emerging markets like Southeast Asia, where governments lose billions annually to cigarette excise revenue and illegal vaping products. De Best has called for greater data sharing between ASEAN member states and warned that disrupted supply chains can create opportunities for illegal operators. He emphasizes that regulation is only effective when enforced, and policymakers must consider enforcement from the outset when designing regulations. By incorporating illicit trade into policymaking, governments can recover lost revenue, protect legitimate businesses, and increase governmental revenues while reducing crime rates and enhancing consumer safety.",
  "summary": "Illicit trade costs governments billions and puts consumers at risk. Gijs de Best says only shared intelligence and enforceable rules can curb the problem.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}