In the news

BFM reports on an increase in the number of robberies of tobacco shops in France following recent tobacco excise increases. Between January 2017 and January 2018, the number of thefts from tobacconists increased by 7%. €407,400 of cigarettes were stolen in January 2018, compared with €350,500 worth last year. Some tobacconists interviewed said that they had to implement extra security measures to protect themselves against thieves. One tobacconist who now serves customers from behind a secure window says that ongoing excise increases on cigarettes mean they are “worth gold” to criminals. Read More

Le Parisien reports on more evidence of the failure of plain packaging for tobacco in France. Launched in January 2017, the policy was touted by activists as a measure which would bring down smoking rates. However, even the most ardent supporters of plain packaging admit that sales of tobacco products have been stable. In turn they now call for a price point of €10 for a packet of cigarettes to bring smoking levels down. Read More

The SME Circle, the European People Party’s initiative to support small and medium sized companies, has called for a strong share of the new EU Budget to be invested in promoting SMEs in Europe. The SME Circle points out that 99% of businesses in Europe are SMEs, amounting to over 20 million companies, and that these vital businesses need support now more than ever. Read More

A campaign launched this week in Yorkshire in the UK aims to tackle trade in illicit tobacco in the area. A recent survey in the region showed that 31% of smokers have tried illicit tobacco, illicit tobacco makes up 9% of the tobacco market, and that 16% of smokers feel comfortable with the sale of illicit tobacco. Read More

Les Echos has reported on the increased prices for tobacco which have come into effect this week in France. Under this plan the price of fine-cut tobacco has risen by €2, while the price of cigarettes has risen by €1. By raising the price of fine-cut this move is expected to significantly increase illegal tobacco sales and undermine the government’s tax base. Read More

The Irish Times reports that plain cigarette packaging has started appearing in Irish stores before the September deadline by which all packs will have to be standardised. Ireland is the third EU country and fourth worldwide to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes, after France, the UK and Australia. Read More

EU Observer reports that MEPs have rejected the last minute attempt by French MEP Younous Omarjee to object the Delegated Act adopted in December last year. The proposal to veto the bill was supported by seven MEPs, with 45 rejecting the veto, and one abstaining. Read More

An article in Algemeen Dagblad reports that a court in The Hague has decided that cafes, restaurants and other catering establishments may no longer have smoking areas following a lawsuit. Bernadet Naber, from the Association of the Hospitality Industry, says that a lot of money has been invested in smoking rooms and she’s not sure what is going to happen now following this announcement. Read More

Speakers at the ‘2nd Anti-Corruption Forum: Toward a Sustainable Economy in the Tobacco Sector’ in Greece last week noted that one in every five cigarettes in the Greek market is illegal, and that 50% of small enterprises in the tobacco sector have shut down. Read More

EU Observer has published an interview with Luk Joossens of the Association of European Cancer Leagues. Mr Joossens correctly points out the need to step up the fight against illegal trade in tobacco and to implement an effective system to do so. His assertion, however, that it is too late for the European Parliament to veto the bill on a track and trace system is tinged with irony: regardless of whether the Parliament vetoes the bill or not, it is highly unlikely that the track and trace system will be implemented on time for 2019. Read More