Second pack survey on the prevalence of the use of smuggled cigarettes in Tehran, 2015

Background One in every 10 cigarettes might be illicit, and these products are more common in low-income than in high-income countries. 1 Iran and Iraq are the two main target markets for tobacco smuggling in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. 2 A small survey in Tehran, in 2005, showed that 40% of smokers used illicit cigarettes. 3 Another study, in 2009, revealed that 20.9% of smokers in Tehran consumed illicit cigarettes. 4 Since 2009, new health warnings and holograms have been introduced on cigarette packs in Iran.