On World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, PMI India, the affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), reinforced its commitment to combating the illicit tobacco trade—a market that accounts for nearly 25% of India’s domestic cigarette consumption. The move comes as the Government of India begins implementing the pack-level Track and Trace (T&T) system, aimed at curbing revenue loss, securing supply chains, and elevating regulatory oversight.
With India ranking among the world’s top illegal cigarette markets, PMI executives highlighted how the informal trade undermines public health, national security, and fair competition. “The T&T rollout is a bold and transformative reform,” said Navaneel Kar, MD of IPM India, adding that it would enhance enforcement transparency and consumer trust. PMI’s T&T systems, already active in 140+ countries including the EU, UK, and GCC, have shown measurable results in reducing counterfeit flows.
A key trade hub in Nagaland, the illegal cigarette influx has long disrupted the local tobacco market. Traders report a growing presence of unregulated products entering through porous borders, impacting legal retailers. Stakeholders see the T&T system as a much-needed mechanism to protect legitimate trade and stabilize market dynamics.
