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Tag: Navaneel Kar

  • PM India Fighting Illicit Trade with Intelligence

    PM India Fighting Illicit Trade with Intelligence

    Illicit cigarettes are not a new problem in India, but they are one that continues to grow, Navaneel Kar, managing director of Philip Morris India, told Statesman News Service. According to Euromonitor International, India is now the fourth-largest market for illegal cigarette consumption in the world after China, Brazil, and Pakistan. To get an idea of how big the problem is, Kar said PM India carried out a large intelligence-gathering exercise in 2025 that covered more than 3,000 shops across 10 states. By also engaging with more than 50 government stakeholders, the goal was not just observation but building reliable intelligence that could, in turn, support enforcement agencies and policy discussions.

    Public reports indicate enforcement agencies seized smuggled cigarettes worth about ₹600 crore ($7 billion) in FY25, with data from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence showing the North-East as the largest hub for seizures, followed by Maharashtra–Goa, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

    PM India said it is supporting the government’s rollout of a Track & Trace system for tobacco products, drawing on global experience from markets where digital tagging of cigarette packs is used to improve supply-chain visibility and curb illegal trade. The company also “supported capacity-building efforts for over 145 officers from customs and tax departments,” according to Stateman News Service.

  • Philip Morris Supports India’s Crackdown on Illicits

    Philip Morris Supports India’s Crackdown on Illicits

    On World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) India affiliate, IPM India, reinforced its commitment to combat illicit tobacco trade, protect government revenue, and uphold product integrity. The pledge aligns with India’s rollout of pack-level track and trace (T&T) technology, aimed at identifying and curbing counterfeit tobacco products.

    India, the fourth-largest illegal cigarette market globally, sees smuggled cigarettes make up 25% of its domestic market, according to PMI estimates. The company emphasized the critical need for stronger enforcement and collaboration to address the issue, which undermines public health, economic stability, and national security.

    Navaneel Kar, managing director of IPM India, praised the government’s T&T initiative, stating it will enhance transparency and enforcement. PMI says it has implemented T&T systems in over 140 countries, including the EU and GCC states, with positive outcomes in reducing illicit trade.

    Rodney Van Dooren, PMI’s Head of Illicit Trade Prevention for Asia Pacific, called for regional cooperation, noting India’s leadership role and growing influence in tackling counterfeit goods.