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New Delhi, June 2 (IANSlife) Even under normal circumstances, alcohol products are among those which remain under the continuous threat of counterfeiting. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the problem has further aggravated due to a gap in demand and supply. In last one month, almost every day a seizure had been reported in India related to smuggled or illicit liquor. There is always a risk of human life-consuming illicit alcohol. As per the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, harmful alcohol consumption resulted in over 3 million deaths in 2016, and most of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Counterfeiters ape the packaging of popular branded products to dupe customers into buying their fake, substandard, or bad quality products. But there are simple ways by which you can identify genuine liquor products. Chander S Jeena, Secretary of Authentication Solution Providers' Association (ASPA), a non-profit organization working towards building up authentication eco-systems in-country, lists down a few: Choose authorized sellers: Try to buy only from authorized sellers (retail) shop. Do not fall prey to online delivery of alcohol advertisements. Insist for a proper bill for your purchase. If there is online delivery system, please re-verify it from state excise website. Look closely at the packaging: Always pay close attention to the packaging. Counterfeiters can produce a close copy, but they mostly cannot perfect it. Usually, there are visible differences in the size, logo, and colors used in packaging. This difference might be as small as the text that is being used or a slight change in the logo. A regular user with a keen eye might spot it in an instance. For example: Names such as Johnnie Walker should be with an 'ie' and not a 'y' and Chivas Regal would suddenly be turned into Chivas Rigal. Never accept a product that might seems previously been opened. These features are generally missing from fake make-up products. Smudged labels also indicate that the product is counterfeit. Check for Government Tax stamps (Authentication signs): The most important is check for authentication features. These are extremely difficult to copy and replicate for counterfeiter. Most of the liquor bottles carry anti-counterfeiting features called tax stamps on neck of their bottle (For example, security hologram or paper label with QR code). These are placed to ensure that the product is original and untampered. One can verify these codes from state excise website or via mobile app. For instance, Delhi has one such "mLiquorSaleCheck". Check the manufacturing and expiry date: The scariest part about fake alcohol is how vendors would buy back empty real bottles from bars and clubs, then fill those bottles with the contraband liquid. If the date seems to be way too long ago, then that is likely a recycled bottled. Before consumption check for shade, colour and smell: Beware of inconsistency in texture, smell, and colour of the product. These are indicators if the product is fake or original. A responsible-reputed brand would never compromise on quality. Generally, alcohol smells strong, spicy, woody or fruity depending on the type you purchase. However, it will definitely not smell like nail varnish, turpentine, or chemicals - which are common scents for fake hard liquor. (Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in) --IANS pg/sj/sdr/

Tips to identify genuine liquor

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">marketlan/ShutterstockIllicit alcohol can be incredibly dangerous.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>The Dominican Republic has experienced a widely publicized spate of unexplained tourist deaths, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/report-dominican-republic-officials-investigating-bootleg-alcohol-possibilities-2019-6">authorities are reportedly looking at bootleg alcohol</a> as a potential culprit.</li><li>A number of citizens of the Dominican Republic and Haiti reportedly died after drinking a local bootleg alcohol called cléren in 2017.</li><li>But the problem isn't local to the Dominican Republic. Mass poisonings due to unregulated alcohol are unfortunately a deadly global phenomenon.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/?hprecirc-bullet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul>Illicit alcohol can be deadly.Unregulated booze may be the culprit behind a recent slew of unexplained deaths in the Dominican Republic. The New York Post first <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/06/13/authorities-eyeing-bootleg-liquor-as-potential-cause-of-dr-tourist-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that Dominican Republic police are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/report-dominican-republic-officials-investigating-bootleg-alcohol-possibilities-2019-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investigating</a> the possibility that counterfeit alcohol has poisoned at least seven US tourists in the country over the past year.If these suspicions around bootleg booze are indeed correct, then these deaths are just the latest example of the fatal impact of illicit alcohol in the Dominican Republic.In 2017, nine people in the Dominican Republic and neighboring Haiti died after drinking local alcohol known as "clerén" or "triculi," a beverage distilled from sugar cane. The alcohol was reportedly traced back to a local business in the Haitian village of Los Cacaos, according to <a href="https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2017/12/21/six-dead-after-drinking-moonshine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dominican Today</a>.The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking released a <a href="http://www.iard.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Alcohol-in-the-Shadow-Economy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> estimating that illicit alcohol made up for 29% of total alcohol in the Dominican Republic. But "illicit alcohol" doesn't simply mean illegally distilled liquor; it can be broken down into several distinct categories.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/report-dominican-republic-officials-investigating-bootleg-alcohol-possibilities-2019-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dominican Republic officials are reportedly investigating whether recent tourist deaths were caused by counterfeit alcohol</a>Informal alcohol, or drinks produced "outside of a regulatory framework and whose production and consumption tend to follow cultural and artisanal practices" could include legal or illegal home brewing operations, according to the IARD.Contraband alcohol is any beverage that's illegally smuggled into a country. Counterfeit alcohol is defined as "fraudulent imitations of legitimate branded products," while non-conforming alcohol encompasses all "products that are not compliant with production processes, guidelines, or labeling legislation."In the Dominican Republic, the IARD estimated that illicit alcohol cost the country a total of $262 million. The Caribbean nation's black market of alcohol was reported to break down into 69% distilled drinks, 0.1% fermented beverages, and 30% "other" forms of alcohol.Roughly one third of the country's illicit alcohol came about due to "tax leakage," which refers to the practice of skipping out on the excise tax in the jurisdiction of legally produced alcohol beverages. And half of the illicit alcohol referred to contraband drinks.In April, the Dominican Rum Producers Association advocated to curtail the alcohol in the country's <a href="https://dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2019/04/03/rum-makers-to-fight-tax-dodgers-booze-black-market/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">black market</a>. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dominican-republic-cracking-down-on-illegal-immigration-2016-1">The Dominican Republic is cracking down on illegal immigration and 300,000 are in jeopardy</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

The mysterious deaths in the Dominican Republic reportedly may be linked to illicit alcohol, and it wouldn't be the first time

New Delhi, Apr 23 () Fearing huge financial losses and job cuts, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has urged states to impress upon the Centre about an urgent need to start sale of liquor in non-COVID zones.Pointing out that the states have already lost around Rs 20,000 crore in revenues during the lockdown period so far, the apex body of the Indian alcoholic beverage industry has urged the Centre as well as states to allow opening of liquor shops while strictly following all social distancing guidelines, besides considering online sales to check overcrowding at outlets.In its letter written to all state chief ministers (barring states which are under prohibition), the CIABC has pleaded "the state governments should take up the matter once again with the Centre to permit production, distribution and sales of alcoholic beverages outside containment zones, in conformity with COVID-19 guidelines"."Constitutionally, alcohol is a state matter, and hence it is state government which should unequivocally be the only authority to permit or not permit trade in alcohol," the letter said. Pointing out that the governments need to bring in systemic changes in the way the alcoholic beverage industry works to ensure social distancing in future, the CIABC has asked the state governments to impress upon the Centre to push for technology-based controls in place of physical man-based controls on production/warehousing sites and on stock in transit.It has also sought addition of new sale channels which do not need gathering of people such as home deliveries through dedicated portals or government's websites.Noting that in these difficult times when entire industry and economic activities are shut, the states' coffers are taking a big hit, CIABC Director General Vinod Giri told , "This is the second letter which we have written to the chief ministers since the lockdown began urging them to take up the matter of opening liquor industry with the Centre."He further said, "Our industry is the major source of revenues for the states. We employ 20-lakh workforce and assist livelihood of 40 lakh farmers. Under current circumstances when our earnings are zero, we cannot sustain for long. This will lead to huge job cuts and massive financial losses. The governments need to urgently consider opening of sale and distribution."According to CIABC, the Indian alcoholic beverage industry contributes around Rs 2 lakh crore per annum in revenues to the government. Tax on alcohol consists of 20 to 40 per cent of tax revenues of states. A total ban on liquor deprives state governments of own revenue so vitally required in fighting COVID-19.Giri further noted that prolonged unavailability of legal alcohol has serious consequences. "There are growing reports of liquor smuggling, sale of illicit and spurious liquor, and looting of shops. These not only deprive state of legitimate tax revenues, they also pose grave threat to public health and law and order. It is also well known that some people need alcohol on medical grounds. Blanket ban on sale of liquor is unjustified," he said.Significantly, some state governments have taken up the matter with the Union Home Ministry for opening of liquor industry in their respective states.Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi governments have been more vocal about it. A few days back Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had written to the Centre seeking permission for opening of liquor vends. Delhi and Maharashtra have been pushing for online sale and home delivery of liquor. KKS MKJ

CIABC urges states to convince Centre to begin liquor sale in non-COVID zones

Bhubaneswar, Jun 20 () Manufacturers of alcoholic beverages have urged the Odisha government to reduce the 'special COVID-19 fee' imposed on liquor from 50 per cent to a reasonable rate and allow retailers in the state to sell such products from outlets, an official said on Saturday. In a representation to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) said the imposed cess has increased consumer prices by 50 per cent, leading to a drastic fall in liquor sales and a decrease in tax collection. "We have submitted a representation to the chief minister and said that as a responsible industry body, we also work towards collective interests of other important stakeholders, including the government, traders, society and the consumers," CIABC director general Vinod Giri told . The government's tax collection could be hit with declining sales, the body of liquor makers said. The state government had only permitted home delivery of liquor with the 50 per cent 'special COVID-19 fee' and no excise licensee was allowed to sell alcoholic beverages from outlets. Giri said this is preventing a large number of consumers from buying liquor as they are not familiar with technology for online ordering. "Besides bringing down sales and the government's tax revenues, it is also pushing some consumers towards illicit and unlawful alcohol which poses serious health risks. "Shut down of retail shops is also threatening the livelihood of around 50,000 people who are associated with the distribution and sales of liquor through retail outlets," the association said in its representation. Liquor sales in May have declined by 87 per cent as compared to that in the year-ago month, Giri said. He said the CIABC has urged the Odisha government to reduce the 'special COVID-19 fee' to a level that the consumer prices do not go up by more than 10 to 15 per cent. "We presented an analysis showing how the imposition of high corona taxes by Delhi and Andhra Pradesh had severely brought down liquor sales and by implication, government tax revenues," he said. He claimed that the Delhi government, after weighing the data presented by the association, decided to withdraw the 70 per cent cess and replaced it with a five per cent increase in VAT. SKN SBN BDC BDC

Liquor makers urge Odisha govt to cut 'special COVID-19 fee' to boost sales

<keyword id="2974268" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Illicit-market">Illicit market</keyword>, with respect to seven sectors of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=manufacturing">manufacturing</a> industry, had led to a loss of Rs 32,239 crore to the exchequer during 2014, according to a report released by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=FICCI">FICCI</a>. 
 The <keyword id="6355001" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="FICCI">FICCI</keyword> report prepared by its Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="economy">Economy</keyword> and titled “Illicit Market: A Threat to Our National Interest” released said the loss was inclusive of both indirect and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=direct+taxes+">direct taxes</a> -- Rs 34,020 crore and Rs 5,218 crore, respectively. 
 
According to the report, there was a loss of Rs 26,190 crore in 2012. 
 FICCI released its nine sector report titled 'Illicit Market: A Threat to Our National Interest' in Guwahati on Tuesday. This is a quantitative study evaluating the impact of illicit markets on various economic aspects of the <keyword id="6362048" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Manufacturing">manufacturing</keyword> industry, including sectors like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=FMCG">FMCG</a>, packaged foods and personal goods, computer hardware, automobiles, mobile phones, tobacco &amp; alcohol, and media and entertainment industry. 
 
The study found that the revenue loss to the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=central+government+">central government</a> due to illicit trade increased 49.8% to Rs 13,049 crore from 2011-12 to 2013-14. 
 
Amongst the various sectors, the maximum revenue loss was from counterfeiting and illicit trade is tobacco products—23% and Rs 9,139 crore. 
 When it comes to states, <keyword id="6354915" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Assam">Assam</keyword> saw a significant growth in illicit trade in these sectors in the last couple of years. It was one of the fastest growing markets for illegal cigarettes and alcohol in the country. 
 
In 2014, illegal cigarettes accounted for more than 25% of the total cigarette market in the state. 
 
Assam's illegal market for alcohol too grew significantly in value terms, especially for IMFL and imported liquor. 
 "During the last twenty years, the volume of the counterfeiting activity has increased 100 times and the size of trade in counterfeited goods is 10% of the legal <keyword id="35028" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="international-trade">international trade</keyword> (around 2% of the world's overall economic output)," said PC Jha, adviser, <keyword id="2974267" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="FICCI-CASCADE">FICCI CASCADE</keyword>, and former chairman of the <keyword id="514301" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Central-Board-of-Excise-Customs">Central Board of Excise &amp; Customs</keyword>. 
 
Deep Chand, advisor to FICCI CASCADE and former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, said: "In the past few decades, leading intelligence and law-enforcement agencies around the world have found conclusive evidence of the increasing involvement of terrorist organizations in counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling activities to fund their activities…The need of the hour is tangible actions to increase enforcement and to impose increased punishments." 
 
The study said that high state-level taxes like VAT and imposition of health cess on the legal cigarette industry is resulting in high prices for legal cigarettes, and this is the key reason for such an alarming growth of illegal cigarette industry in the state. 
 
Most of the manufacturers of such illegal <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=cigarettes+">cigarettes</a> (mostly based in the surrounding states and in some northern states) evade the high central <keyword id="6356916" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="excise-duty">excise duty</keyword> and state taxes/cess and thus are able to offer their products to consumers at rock-bottom prices. Price of an illegal cigarette pack in Assam is a fifth of the price of a legal packet. 
 
According to the study, smuggled international contraband cigarettes contribute significantly to the alarming growth of the illegal cigarette industry in Assam. Assam shares a porous international border with Bangladesh. In addition, other states in the north-east also share a similar border with Myanmar, Bangladesh and China. Therefore, there is a sizeable influx of cheap king-sized smuggled cigarettes from across the border into Assam. 
 
These smuggled cigarettes are transported from Assam and other north eastern states to the rest of the country by air, bus and train, the report said. 
 
"Such illegal cigarettes defeat the tobacco control objectives of the government as they neither bear any health warnings required as per Indian laws nor have other mandatory declarations like MRP, date of manufacture or place of Manufacture. High VAT compared to the rest of the country and the recent imposition of health cess on cigarettes have also resulted in large-scale diversion of the cigarettes trade into the state," the report pointed out. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Over Rs 39, 000 crore loss to exchequer in 2014 all thanks to illicit trade!

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Reuters/Vasily FedosenkoiIt's a complete waste of money, for one thing.</div></div></div><ul><li>Several bartenders Business Insider interviewed said they look down on people who order shots, especially top-shelf ones.</li><li>They say, for one thing, it's a waste of money.</li><li>Here's what ordering expensive shots says about you, according to these bartenders.</li></ul> Bartenders can discern a lot about a person from what they order. And shots are an especially telling request."When you go for shots, I think 'trouble,'" a bartender in New York with eight years of experience told Business Insider.Or, as another bartender in the US Virgin Islands put it, "Shots equal jacka-- juice."Expensive shots in particular illicit a gut reaction from bartenders."Some people will buy loads of expensive shots when out in groups," a bartender from Ireland with 12 years of experience told Business Insider. "They're trying to look flash."But for all your attempts to look cool, bartenders say you just wind up looking the fool."You look stupid when you order expensive shots," a former bartender from New York with 10 years of experience told Business Insider. "The whole point is to get it down quickly - you're not enjoying the quality."This bartender said that when someone walked into his bar and ordered a shot of a top-shelf liquor, he immediately thought they were trying to impress people by wasting their money."Shots are not designed for savoring," he said. "They're made to get drunk from.""If you want to pay double for something that does nothing more than add to the cash register, go for it," he said. But you're not doing anyone any favors.So, if you must order shots, how do you walk the line between looking like an idiot and insulting your friends and the bartender?"I would recommend knowing a few brands of the liquor you like to shoot and their price levels," the bartender suggested. "Look for something mid-level as your go-to." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dead-rabbit-best-drink-2015-12">Try a Mean Fiddler: Star bartender, from Wall Street's Dead Rabbit pub, makes us his favorite drink </a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

You Searched For "illicit liquor" and got 6 results

Tips to identify genuine liquor

IANS

The mysterious deaths in the Dominican Republic reportedly may be linked to illicit alcohol, and it wouldn't be the first time

Áine Cain

CIABC urges states to convince Centre to begin liquor sale in non-COVID zones

PTI

Liquor makers urge Odisha govt to cut 'special COVID-19 fee' to boost sales

PTI

Over Rs 39, 000 crore loss to exchequer in 2014 all thanks to illicit trade!

BI India Bureau

Bartenders reveal why they look down on anyone who orders shots of top-shelf liquor

Rachel Gillett

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