The outlook for illicit markets.
The recent increase in terrorist activity worldwide has drawn attention to three illicit markets: firearms, drugs and cigarettes. Firearms are a highly lethal weapon of choice for terrorists, but homicides using firearms kill almost 18 times more people than terrorist attacks using firearms every year around the world. The global drug market continues to adjust to law enforcement interventions, with only marginal links to terrorist groups. The illicit cigarette trade kills 700,000 people annually, and fuels corruption and organised crime.
Increasing terrorist activity worldwide will raise further attention on these issues.
Renewed gun control efforts are expected in Europe, and to a lesser extent in the United States.
Further policy experimentation will occur on tackling the drug trade, including through cannabis regulation.
