OLAF and partners step up the fight against tobacco smuggling

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), in cooperation with the Department of Customs & Excise of the Republic of Cyprus organised its Annual Tobacco Conference, held in Larnaca, Cyprus, on 20 and 21 October 2026. 

The conference brought together representatives from EU Member States and some key partner countries, including Egypt, Georgia, Morocco and Ukraine. Discussions focused on tobacco smuggling across the Mediterranean, emerging fraud involving e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, the growing use of air cargo and complex transport routes, and illegal tobacco production in the EU.

Participants also discussed the lessons learned from Joint Customs Operation VAPE of 2025, the first joint customs operation specifically targeting illicit e-cigarettes.

Petr Klement, Director General of OLAF, said: “Illicit tobacco drains public finances, endangers consumers and fuels organised crime. Criminal networks know no borders, and neither can our response. By acting together, we can disrupt criminal networks, protect EU money, and keep dangerous, unregulated products off the market.”

Mari Charalambous Kliriotou, Director General of the Department of Customs & Excise of the Republic of Cyprus, said: “By bringing together experts and frontline officers, this conference provides a valuable opportunity to exchange practical experience, identify emerging fraud trends and strengthen our collective efforts to combat tobacco smuggling. Cyprus remains firmly committed to working closely with OLAF, EU Member States and all relevant partners to protect our societies and safeguard public revenues from the harmful impact of illicit trade of tobacco products.”