[Stoat]

I Googled a few articles on European cigarettes. It seems that due to the high taxation there are a lot of counterfeits out there – with some nasty additives.

I'm sure that you're correct....whenever a desired item becomes overtaxed, market forces, whether legitimate or not, will step in to fill the demand.

I'm guessing that if it weren't for the easy availability of Indian reservation cigarettes at lower prices, there would a massive black market for cigs here in the USA with not only stolen merchandise but counterfeit products as well.

I recall hearing that black market cigarette activities were heating up in the NYC area after the smoking bans went into effect there.

[R. Scott]

I sometimes wonder (foil hat firmly in place) if our “esteemed” politicians aren’t in league with criminal organizations. They learned what will happen if a wanted commodity is banned when the 18th Amendment was enacted. It seems that more than a few public officials and politicians made money from the illegal sales of booze. Shortly after prohibition was repealed recreational drugs were banned – and more than a few public officials and politicians may well be making money from their sale – gotta keep the “War” on drugs going. If they can succeed in forcing tobacco into the same situation, there will be even more money to be made.
Of course, not all politicians or bureaucrats who back this “war” are making money from it – some are just using it to further their careers.