Social media and delivery services have become new outlets for organised crime activities when it comes to illicit cigarette trade, according to a new study that has raised eyebrows among EU policymakers. The study published on Wednesday (17 October) was conducted by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the world’s oldest independent think tank on international defence and security, and focused on the UK, Germany and France. "RUSI’s findings confirm a direct link between illegal tobacco trade and terrorism financing. Illegal tobacco trade is not only damaging to governments’ revenues and consumers’ health but also to national security. Combatting radicalisation in our society is vital but it won’t be enough if we don’t tackle terrorist financing. Social media platforms have been hosting illegal terror content on their platforms for years. Now it turns out that they are not just a medium that helps to spread harmful ideologies but indirectly finances the deadly terror attacks as well," commented David Ibsen, Executive Director of Counter Extremism Project (CEP).