ALAPPUZHA: Fake cigarettes are reportedly being sold with alarming ease across various parts of the district, with the involvement of small traders. While sellers make a modest profit of one rupee from each genuine cigarette, they pocket as much as four rupees from the sale of counterfeit cigarettes. These fake products, packaged to closely resemble the original brands, are often difficult to distinguish at first glance.

Despite previous seizures of fake and foreign cigarettes from local shops, recent operations have failed to catch counterfeiters. It is believed that many smokers, already aware of the health risks of smoking, remain unaware that they are often consuming fake products. Reports indicate that a regular distribution network is in place to supply counterfeit cigarettes to shops in Alappuzha city.

Foreign cigarettes from the Aluva market are also being sold openly in the district. In a recent raid by customs officials in Kochi, a large cache of fake cigarettes smuggled from Cambodia was seized, highlighting the growing scale of this illegal trade.

Hard to detect at first

Spotting a fake cigarette can be difficult. Minor differences in the writing style on the packet can only be detected upon close inspection. However, most consumers don’t bother checking the packaging when purchasing just one or two cigarettes.

Although subtle variations in color and thickness exist, they often go unnoticed. The content of these counterfeit cigarettes is usually low-quality tobacco or "tobacco residue," and they burn much faster than regular cigarettes. Moreover, the filter tips are significantly thinner, adding to the overall poor quality.