Cigarette black market hikes to 15 percent this November says Novel

The local cigarette black market has resumed growth last month, reaching 15 percent of the total market compared to 11.8 percent in September, has announced research company Novel. After reaching an all times high of 36.2 percent in January 2010, the black market has entered a downward trend and it is estimated to reach an average level of about 15.2 percent in 2011.

“We hope this not the beginning of an upward trend, but a temporary increase, driven by contextual factors. For the black market to go down again that the authorities need to continue their efforts to combat illicit trade, which have shown results so far,” said Adrian Popa, director CORA, BAT Romania.

Simona Bazavan