The Socioeconomic Impact of the Spread of Illegal Cigarettes: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

The circulation of illegal cigarettes is a problem that not only impacts public health but also has significant social and economic consequences. Illegal cigarettes contribute to the loss of government revenue from the excise tax sector, weaken the effectiveness of tobacco control policies, and expand public access—particularly among low-income groups—to low-cost tobacco products. This study aims to map and analyze how the social and economic impacts of the spread of illegal cigarettes are represented in scientific literature and media coverage through a bibliometric approach. The method used is bibliometric analysis utilizing publication data obtained from the Scopus database as well as supporting data from online media coverage related to the issue of illegal cigarettes. The data were analyzed using VOSviewer software to identify publication trends, dominant keywords, thematic clusters, and evolving relationships between issues over a specific time period. The analysis focused on the interrelationships between social, economic, consumption behavior, and tobacco control policy aspects. The results indicate that research on illegal cigarettes has seen a significant increase over the past decade, with a primary focus on issues of state revenue loss, fiscal policy, consumer behavior, and social impacts on vulnerable groups. Network visualizations reveal that the issue of illegal cigarettes lies at the intersection of public health, political economy, and law enforcement perspectives. This study confirms that the circulation of illegal cigarettes is a multidimensional phenomenon requiring an integrated policy approach—not only through law enforcement but also through sustainable economic and social strategies.