EU stepping up fight against illicit trade

EU Ministers of Economy and Finance have adopted council conclusions on stepping up the fight against cigarette smuggling and other forms of illicit trade in tobacco products in the EU, according to a Wired-GOV report. The council conclusions are at http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/jha/140011.pdf.

“The conclusions underline the need to enhance the fight against cigarette smuggling, which has considerable negative impact on health and causes substantial negative financial impact on the budget of the EU and the member states, estimated annually at over 10 billion euros,” said Rimantas Šadžius, Lithuanian finance minister and chair of the economic and financial affairs council.

The report (at http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/3BED6583627CF31D80257C3E00447C97?OpenDocument) said an effective response to the threats posed by the illegal trade in tobacco products could be ensured by co-ordinated and concerted efforts at national and European level, and in close co-operation with third countries and international organizations.