Counterfeit cigarettes being mostly sold from shops

The Maltese are more likely to be offered illegal cigarettes from ordinary shops selling this product over the counter (38%) or from bars or restaurants (17%) than from the street as happens in most European countries.  

But the Maltese are also among the least likely in Europe to buy counterfeit cigarettes.  

84% of the Maltese were never offered black market cigarettes in contrast to 79% of respondents in all 28 member states. Only 16% of Maltese report having been offered counterfeit cigarettes compared to 19% of all Europeans.

Moreover the Maltese are among the least likely to smoke in Europe. Only 24% described themselves as current smokers.

The survey, commissioned by the European commission, shows that respondents in Malta (38%), Sweden (24%) and Austria (22%) are the most likely to be offered this type of cigarette under the counter in an ordinary shop. 

Respondents in Finland (0%), Estonia (1%), and Lithuania and Germany (both 2%) are the least likely to say this. 

A further 17% of the Maltese (compared to 12% of all EU respondents) bought counterfeit cigarettes from a bar or restaurant.

Overall while 60% of Europeans (who have been offered counterfeit cigarettes) reported the offer being made in the street, in Greece the percentage of those offered cigarettes in the street rises to 76%.

Only 33% of Maltese reported the same.  On the other hand 38% of Maltese compared to 8% of Europeans reported being offered illegal cigarettes in an ordinary shop.

When asked what is the greatest problem resulting from counterfeit cigarettes, 50% of Maltese referred to the loss of tax revenue for the state while 28% referred to the increased revenue for organised crime. In general Europeans were less concerned about state revenue (43%) and more concerned with higher revenue for organised crime (35%).

Only 6% in Malta and Europe think that counterfeit cigarettes are the main source of revenue for organised crime.

But the Maltese are among the most likely to think that the main source of revenue for organised crime is illegal drugs. Surprisingly only 11% of Maltese and 17% of all Europeans think that prostitution and human trafficking are the main source of revenue for organised crime. 

On the other hand 59% of Maltese and 46% of all Europeans think illegal drugs are the main source of revenue. The Bulgarians and Romanians were the most likely to think that prostitution and human trafficking are the greatest source of revenue for organised crime.

Only 24% of Maltese are smoking

The Maltese are among the European nationals who are the least likely to be currently smoking. Only 24% reported that they are currently smoking, while 20% reported smoking in the past. The Swedes were the least likely to smoke (11%) while the Greeks (38%) and the Austrians (39%) were the most likely to be currently smoking tobacco products. The figures do not include electronic cigarette use.

56% of Maltese have never smoked compared to 49% of other Europeans. The Portuguese are the most likely to have never smoked (59%). In contrast only 39% of Austrians have smoked.