The Italian National Legal Framework Related to Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products

The chapter firstly examines the Italian legal background in the field of illicit trade of tobacco products, both in a substantive and procedural criminal law perspective, highlighting the complexity of the normative scenario and trying to identify the main existing best practices. Empirical data referred to the level of asset recovery in the fight against illicit trade of tobacco are also provided, as well as with regard to the main criminological aspects of smuggling cases investigated and prosecuted in Italy. Finally, the author presents his conclusion by highlighting the theoretical adequacy of the national legal framework in ensuring effective instruments for contrasting the illegal trade of tobacco products, but also underlining the lack of stable communicative channels for the exchange of information between the public authorities involved.