Lebanon Launches Tobacco Stamp and Traceability Programme

OpSec Security, together with technology partner Scopsis SAL, has announced a new partnership with Régie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs (Régie Libanaise) to combat the illicit tobacco trade in Lebanon.

Régie Libanaise is a state-owned public organisation controlled by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance and mandated to manage tobacco plantations, as well as the manufacturing and transport of all tobacco products sold within the country. The current level of illicit trade in cigarettes within Lebanon is estimated at 25% of the total market, costing the government $200-$250 million in annual lost revenues, said OpSec in a November press release.

To combat this illicit trade, OpSec will provide highly secure authentication stamps to Régie Libanaise, enabling the protection of their products, beginning with the market-leading Cedars cigarette brand. And OpSec’s proprietary Insight® software platform will be used to authenticate and trace each licit stamped pack throughout the supply chain.

Furthermore, the company will provide advanced mobile authentication of stamp security features and product traceability for dedicated Régie Libanaise enforcement staff, as well as customs and border officials. Retailers and consumers within Lebanon will also be empowered to authenticate packs and gain visibility of product provenance using the Insight customer engagement functionality, freely available on any mobile device.