OLAF: Scientific Studies/Research on cigarette smuggling and methods of tobacco analysis

The mission of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is to protect the interests of the European
Union, to fight fraud, corruption and any other irregular activity, including misconduct within the
European institutions. In pursuing this mission in an accountable, transparent and cost-effective
manner, OLAF aims to provide a quality service to the citizens of Europe.

The “HERCULE II” Programme is an EU action Programme to promote activities in the field of
the protection of the EU's financial interests for the period 2007-2013.

The overall objective of this Programme is to provide technical support and expertise to the
competent law enforcement authorities and to support their anti-fraud activities through training
measures, promoting exchanges of specialised staff and the holding of seminars and conferences to reinforce the protection of the EU's financial interests.

For several years the EU has experienced significant problems with the smuggling of contraband and counterfeit cigarettes. The smuggling of cigarettes into the EU results in significant financial losses to the EU budget as well as to the finances of the Member States. Those financial losses are currently estimated to be €10 billion annually. In 2009, EU law enforcement agencies reported seizures of contraband and counterfeit cigarettes totalling 4.7 billion. Illegal cigarettes in the EU originate from a variety of sources including the Far East, the countries neighbouring the EU and illicit factories located within the EU borders.

To counter this problem OLAF investigates, and supports and coordinates the investigations of
national law enforcement agencies, in relation to large-scale, international cigarette smuggling.
OLAF also gathers intelligence and conducts analysis and threat/risk assessments in relation to the global phenomenon of tobacco smuggling.

This call for proposals is an expression of OLAF’s determination to support research activities
which will facilitate investigative and operational activities in the fight against cigarette
smuggling.

This call for proposals relates to the Grant Programme "Financial support (co-financing) for
training and various cooperation measures in the area of the fight against fraud, including the
fight against cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting". as adopted by the Commission in OLAF’s
Annual Work Programme for 2010 under item 24 02 04 01 of the Budget of the European Union
“Grant Programme for Anti-Fraud Measures” as part of the “HERCULE II” Programme and is to
co-finance innovative scientific and technical studies/research on cigarette smuggling and
methods of tobacco analysis to support the work of agencies engaged in the fight against cigarette
smuggling.