Forum: Fight Against Smuggling

During the forum, research data were presented, which reveal the opinion of the general public on the smuggling problem in the country, as well as the attitude towards the purchase of smuggled goods, knowledge about places to buy smuggled goods, as well as possible penalties and actions to reduce smuggling. 

Professor and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Business at SSE Riga Arnis Sauka was among the speakers and panelists.

The study shows that the population's tolerance towards the purchase of contraband goods is gradually decreasing in Latvia - this year only 30% of the population believed that the purchase of contraband goods was not reprehensible, which is 2% less than in 2021 when 32% of the population stated that purchase of smuggled goods is not reprehensible. For example, in 2013, almost half of the population (46%) stated that the purchase of smuggled goods was not reprehensible.

Also, compared to previous years, fewer and fewer people know where to buy smuggled goods - this year 72% of the population stated that they did not know where to buy contraband tobacco products, alcohol or fuel, while last year 64% did not have such information, and in 2019 respectively only slightly more than half - 56% of respondents - indicated that they would not know where to buy smuggled goods.

The forum was live-streamed and the recording is available below: