Hungarian state to monopolize tobacco sales from July next year

Hungary’s parliament on Tuesday passed a law that establishes a state monopoly for the retail sale of tobacco products from July 1, 2013, according to a realdeal.hu story. The bill, submitted by the ruling Fidesz party in December, will require shop owners to acquire a concession from the state to sell tobacco products.

And it will limit the number of tobacco retail outlets to what is expected to be 7,000.

Bids for the concessions will be called by November 15 and the results announced within two months.

The state will be able to fine retailers that sell tobacco products without having a concession up to half a billion forints.

The final vote on the bill, which saw 244 deputies in favour of the proposal, 36 against and 26 abstentions, took place after the European Commission had raised no objections to the legislation.