The cigarettes black market reached 24.4 percent in September, according to a study made by research company Novel. Thus, illicit trade has fallen significantly from record levels of 36.2 percent registered in Janary, but up from July, when it registered 21.3 percent.
According to a joint press release of Philippe Morris, Japan Tabacco International (JTI) and British American Tabacco, the decline was due to the concerted efforts of the authorities, of the strategy to combat smuggling and tax evasion, as well as due to the changes in the regulatory framework.
„For cigarettes and other excise goods, we propose using the same measurement criteria, quantitative criteria, both for smuggling at border crossing points and for tax evasion. We propose as well that all the means of transport used for smuggling to be confiscated. Last but not least, we think it is necessary to clarify the situation at international border, where, in fact, there are no customs checkpoints, but this does not mean that, on the border with Hungary and Bulgaria, there is lo longer smuggling,” said Gilda Lazar, corporate affairs & communications director at JTI Romania.
Smuggling in Romania is punishable with imprisonment from one to four years and fines which have increased to RON 100,000.
D.V.