By Timothy S. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• New Threats: E-cigarettes and nicotine pouches are drawing increased attention from EU customs authorities.
• Smuggling Routes: Air cargo, complex transport networks and illegal manufacturing are key concerns.
• Joint Enforcement: OLAF is building on operations that seized millions of illicit nicotine products.

Europe’s tobacco smugglers are diversifying, and customs officials are working to keep up.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) convened customs authorities from EU member states and partner countries in Larnaca, Cyprus, on Oct. 20–21 to address evolving tobacco-smuggling operations, including emerging fraud involving e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

The annual conference, organized with Cyprus’ Department of Customs and Excise, examined illicit tobacco shipments across the Mediterranean, the growing use of air cargo and complex transport routes, and illegal tobacco production within the EU.

“Illicit tobacco drains public finances, endangers consumers and fuels organised crime,” said OLAF Director-General Petr Klement. “Criminal networks know no borders, and neither can our response.”

Representatives from Egypt, Georgia, Morocco, and Ukraine met with EU customs officials to discuss intelligence sharing, enforcement cooperation, and emerging trafficking methods. The discussions followed a series of international customs operations that exposed the scale of the illicit nicotine trade.

Operation VAPE, conducted in November and December 2025 with authorities from 30 countries, led to the seizure of more than 1.9 million e-cigarettes and nearly 61,000 heated tobacco products. Belgian customs accounted for about 1.7 million of the seized e-cigarettes.

Investigators found that smugglers often disguised shipments as ordinary consumer goods, such as toys, towels, clothing, shoes, and essential oils. Authorities also identified products that violated national restrictions on flavors, nicotine content, and safety requirements.

“The results of JCO VAPE confirm that the illicit trade in tobacco and e-cigarettes is a serious and growing threat to public health and public finances,” Klement said when the operation’s results were announced in April.

“Consumers should remain vigilant about what they smoke or inhale, as illicit products may contain harmful substances,” he added.

Another OLAF-led operation, NOXIA II, reported in October 2025, led to seizures of 149.5 million cigarettes, more than 223,000 e-cigarettes, and 114 liters of e-liquids. Investigators identified sophisticated trafficking routes involving sea containers, air freight, postal parcels, and other distribution channels.

Cyprus Customs Director-General Mari Charalambous Kliriotou said the latest conference was intended to translate those experiences into stronger enforcement cooperation.

“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,” she said. “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.”

Klement said cooperation between customs agencies remains central to disrupting criminal networks.

“By acting together, we can disrupt criminal networks, protect EU money, and keep dangerous, unregulated products off the market,” he said.

The conference did not announce a new enforcement operation or any additional seizures. Its focus was on sharing intelligence and improving cooperation as illicit trade expands beyond conventional tobacco products.