A study conducted by Oxford Economics revealed that the Mexican government loses annually 13.5 billion pesos due to the sale of illegal cigarettes. These funds could be allocated to essential public services. Gerardo López Becerra warned about the economic and criminal sanctions faced by merchants selling these illegal products, ranging from fines and confiscations to prison sentences. For this reason, an awareness campaign is being carried out in the northwest of the country to inform merchants about the risks and encourage them to report cases of abuse or extortion.
The organization has initiated a campaign in the northwest states with the aim of informing merchants about the current sanctions and encouraging them to report illegal activity to the authorities. It is crucial to strengthen security and regulatory measures in commerce to combat cigarette smuggling and protect both business owners and consumers in Mexico.
Illegal products are sold at prices significantly lower than legal ones, which facilitates access for minors to these dangerous products. According to Gerardo López, president of ConComercioPequeño SC, the economic impact of this situation is devastating. Organized crime is forcing small business owners in the northern part of the country to sell contraband cigarettes, affecting both public health and the national economy.
"It is essential for small businesses to stay informed and act responsibly, both to protect their businesses and the health of their customers," concluded López Becerra. The call to strengthen security and regulation measures in commerce is urgent to stop the sale of illegal cigarettes and prevent the negative impact on Mexican society.
