– Friday, April 2025, Washington D.C.

The World Spirits Alliance and Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) hosted a discussion to share findings from the recent publication of the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) 2025 Illicit Trade Index and to learn how governments, international organizations and the private sector can collaborate more in tackling illicit trade together more effectively.

Addressing illicit trade requires smart, evidence-based policies that strike the right balance between regulation, public health, and economic incentives, tailored to each country’s specific context. It is also vital to account for how high taxes can drive substitution into illicit markets—posing significant dangers to consumers and economies alike.

Illicit trade cannot be solved by tax policy alone. It demands a well-integrated framework—where fair taxation, regulation, enforcement, consumer protection, and trade facilitation work together to reduce illegal activity.

We know what works
✅ Smarter, balanced, and locally appropriate regulation
✅ Stronger, more targeted enforcement
✅ Greater awareness among policymakers and the public

Now let’s work together to protect consumers, strengthen economies, and combat criminal activity.