About: illicit tobacco
Ukraine to criminalise tobacco smuggling within two months
A much-awaited draft law criminalising tobacco smuggling is expected to be approved by the Ukrainian parliament by the end of the year or in early 2020, the Mission of Ukraine to the EU told EURACTIV.com.
Ukraine vows to enhance customs collaboration with EU to tackle smuggling
The Ukrainian government has adopted new legislation to strengthen customs cooperation with the European Union in order to better combat corruption and smuggling, including tobacco products, the Mission of Ukraine to the EU has told EURACTIV.
EU track and trace system risks missing the deadline
EU member states have not yet taken the necessary measures from the Tobacco Product Directive II to implement a track and trace system for tackling illicit tobacco trade, which risks creating disruptions in the single market, EURACTIV has learnt.
Study finds rising illicit cigarette trade on social media
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.
MEP: France is wrong to shun OLAF in tackling tobacco smuggling
France and other countries that need help tackling the rising illicit tobacco trade should ask for assistance from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), according to Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský.
OLAF: Up to France to request help on genuine cigarettes smuggled from Algeria
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) stands ready to assist member states, such as France, in the fight against illicit tobacco trade with third countries, but it’s up to the national authorities to make a request, OLAF told EURACTIV.com. “OLAF will...
Tobacco smuggling: Marseille’s illicit secret
Like most big ports, Marseille has seen its fair share of crime and smuggling. The latest trend, seen almost everywhere in the bustling Mediterranean city, is the sale of cigarettes smuggled from North Africa. In the endless cat-and-mouse game with the police, smugglers seem to be winning, for now.
Genuine cigarettes smuggling from Algeria gives Brussels another headache
The increasing flow of genuine cigarettes from Algeria into Europe is giving politicians a fresh headache.
OLAF: Illicit cut tobacco is a significant and growing market
The volume of illicit cut tobacco in Europe poses a significant problem and is a growing market, Margarete Hofmann, Director for policy at the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) told EURACTIV.com.
EU expected to mount pressure on Minsk over illicit ‘cheap whites’
The rising illicit tobacco trade and particularly of the so-called cheap whites from Belarus to the EU will be discussed at the next EU-Belarus meeting on 19 December, an EU official told EURACTIV.com.
EU health boss Andriukaitis ‘does not listen’
EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis and his services have systematically refused meaningful dialogue and appropriate consultations, Peter van der Mark writes in reaction to an interview published on EURACTIV.com
Bulk tobacco smuggling increases, worrying OLAF and Commission
Illegal sale of fine cut tobacco is on the rise in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, depriving state budgets of millions of euros in unpaid taxes and causing concern in the EU's anti-fraud office, OLAF, and the European Commission.
Stakeholders question Commission’s handling of tobacco track and trace
Several member states and the EU distribution sector have questioned the effectiveness of a recent European Commission consultant’s proposal on the future track and trace system of tobacco products.
Brussels urges Belarus to raise excise taxes on cigarettes
In an effort to halt the growing illicit tobacco trade from Belarus to Europe, the European Commission is calling on Minsk to approximate its excise duty rates to the levels in the EU.
Minsk under pressure to take action against ‘illicit whites’
Belarus should take measures against its illicit tobacco trade with Europe, lawmakers and stakeholders warn.
EU anti-fraud official: Tobacco smuggling is ‘major source’ of organised crime
Cigarette smuggling costs national and EU budgets more than €10 billion annually in lost public revenue and is a major source of organised crime, including terrorism, Margarete Hofmann told Euractiv in an interview.
Czech MEP: EU should pressure Belarus over illicit tobacco trade
The European Union and its member states should pressure Belarus to combat the trade in illicit tobacco and adopt a “stick and carrot” approach with sanctions if necessary, Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský told EURACTIV.com.
‘Cheap whites’: The new trend dominating tobacco black markets
Tobacco smugglers have found new ways of expanding their illegal activities and now focus on a trend called "cheap whites", which is raising new challenges for European regulators and Europol.