Global Experts Warn Excessive Regulations Driving Consumers Towards Illicit Markets

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A tobacco harm reduction expert and a specialist in illicit trade and regulatory policy came together for a discussion examining how excessive regulations are undermining progress toward reducing smoking related disease. Both experts argued that international health authorities continue to pursue policies that risk driving consumers toward unregulated products.

International Advisor on Illicit Trade, Michael Ellis, of the Prohibition Does Not Work group, spoke of his vast experience in tackling illegal consumer sales and warned that enforcement activity cannot counteract the consequences of poorly drafted policymaking.

He described how, in his experience, crime is encouraged by the mistakes made when politicians think they can eradicate product use at the stroke of a pen. “Authorities should be consulting with members of the enforcement community, yet more often than not, we are left to pick up the pieces when regulations are proposed which exacerbate the problems of organized crime.”

“You can’t tax or regulate people out of buying products that you don’t want them to buy,” he said, “you will just incentivize them to go somewhere else.” He stressed that “we need a balanced approach to regulation because criminal gangs will supply the demand without a second thought, whether the customer is an adult or a young person.”

Martin Cullip, International Fellow at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, noted that the bans and restrictions on safer alternatives to smoking can only lead to unintended consequences. “Imposing rules and regulations based on ideology and distaste for products which are in great demand risks countries losing control of their tobacco and nicotine markets entirely. The epidemic of criminality and violence happening in Australia is testament to that.”

“Criminals do not care for consequences,” said Ellis, “if someone dies or is poisoned by sub-standard products, the gangs will just walk away as they don’t care.” He emphasized that this is a matter of public safety, saying that “politicians of the world sign off unrealistic regulations and then step back, expecting enforcement bodies to clear up the mess.”

The panelists called for policymakers to craft regulation based on evidence rather than emotion and recognize that when there is a significant demand for reduced risk products to replace smoking, kneejerk restrictions have the potential to do far more harm than good. Watch the full webinar below.

To request interviews with a harm reduction expert, contact Kara Zupkus at kara@protectingtaxpayers.org