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Tag: Romania

  • JTI Sets up Tech Hub

    JTI Sets up Tech Hub

    Image: Zerophoto

    Japan Tobacco International has established a technological hub in Romania, reports Romania Insider.

    The new center will support the company’s global operations with business technology solutions, analytics and cyber security, among other services. JTI has 36 factories globally and eight research and development centers, according to the company.

    “The technology hub established in Romania is one of the most important among the six global technology centers established by JTI worldwide and symbolizes our continued strong commitment to the success of Romania,” said Alexander Pitchka, general manager of JTI Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria.

    JTI employs more than 1,400 people in Romania, spread across its Bucharest headquarters, its factory, the recently established technological hub and more than 30 sales offices.

    JTI Romania also coordinates the company’s activities in Bulgaria and Moldova.

  • Industry Laments Romania’s Vape Tax

    Industry Laments Romania’s Vape Tax

    Photo: E-Potion

    Tobacco harm reduction advocates are criticizing Romania’s new excise tax on nicotine-free e-liquids and vapes, saying it will discourage smokers from switching to safer alternatives. Vaping companies, meanwhile, fear the increased financial strain will hurt their business.

    “This excise tax increases the cost for consumers who are trying to quit smoking by using nicotine-free alternatives. It also places additional financial burdens on businesses like ours that have invested heavily in the vape market,” said a spokesperson for e-Potion, an e-liquid manufacturer and vape retailer in Sibiu, in a statement.

    “While we understand the need for regulation, it should not come at the cost of public health.”

    E-Potion said will continue to support its customers and help them adapt to the evolving regulatory environment. The company is exploring various initiatives to mitigate the financial burden on consumers who rely on nicotine-free alternatives to quit smoking.

    Additionally, e-Potion is partnering with local health organizations to provide educational resources and support for smoking cessation.

    Romania has been cracking down on smoking alternatives in recent months. Earlier this year, its Chamber of Deputies adopted a bill banning advertising of electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

    In October 2023, the country banned flavored heated tobacco products, in line with the EU requirement.  

  • Romania Bans E-cig and Pouch Advertising

    Romania Bans E-cig and Pouch Advertising

    Photo: xpable

    Romania’s Chamber of Deputies adopted a bill banning advertising of electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches this week, reports Romania Insider.

    “It is prohibited to explicitly advertise tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, including vape types, products intended for inhalation without burning from tobacco substitutes, electronic devices for heating tobacco, and products intended for inhalation without burning from tobacco substitutes as well as nicotine pouches for oral use (pouches) broadcast within radio and television programs and on public transport tickets,” the bill states. 

    The bill also bans advertising for these products within educational institutions and healthcare facilities or within 200 meters of their entrances. Advertising is also banned in publications primarily intended for minors and in theaters before, during and after performances intended for minors. Ads are banned that target minors, depict minors consuming these products, suggest these products have therapeutic properties or have a stimulating, sedative effect or can solve personal problems, give a negative image of abstinence or do not contain warning inscriptions in Romanian.

  • Romania Bans Flavors for Heated-Tobacco Products

    Romania Bans Flavors for Heated-Tobacco Products

    Image: Dancing Man

    Last month, the Romanian government enacted Governmental Ordinance No. 23/20.07.2023 amending and supplementing the Romanian Tobacco Law (GO 23). The move bans all flavored heated-tobacco products.

    The law takes effect on Oct. 23, 2023.

    Prior to enacting GO 23 under the framework of Romanian Tobacco Law, only cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco were subject to the prohibition of characterizing flavors and containing flavorings in any of their components, such as filters, papers, packages, capsules or any technical features.

    The aim of GO 23 is to extend this prohibition to heated-tobacco products and to impose more restrictive requirements on packaging and labeling of such heated-tobacco products, according to media reports.

    For the first time, GO 23 enacts a legal definition of “heated-tobacco products,” which refers to “a novel tobacco product that is heated to produce an emission containing nicotine and other chemicals, which is then inhaled by user(s) and that, depending on its characteristics, is a smokeless tobacco product or a tobacco product for smoking.”

    This definition will include any type of vaping devices that entail heating of tobacco in view of obtaining an inhalable emission containing nicotine and other chemicals.

    Heated-tobacco products with any type of “characterizing flavor,” such as menthol, fruits, etc., will no longer be allowed in the Romanian market.

    Additionally, each unit of and any outside packaging of heated-tobacco products must carry the mandatory message: “Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer.”

    GO 23 also states that each unit packet and any outside packaging of heated-tobacco products for smoking must carry combined health warnings that observe all the requirements set out in art.

    All producers and importers of heated-tobacco products in Romania must notify the Romanian Health Ministry within 90 days after the enactment of GO 23.

  • Industry Concerns Over Romanian Tax Plans

    Industry Concerns Over Romanian Tax Plans

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Romania’s finance ministry plans to increase excise duties on tobacco and nicotine products this year in addition to the excise calendar that has already been approved, causing tobacco firms concern, according to The Romania Insider.

    “The moderate five-year timetable for increasing excise duty adopted less than 12 months ago should have provided the fiscal predictability needed to combat illicit trafficking,” said Jorge Araya, director of the southeast Europe area for BAT. “It should not be forgotten that illicit trafficking also means decreasing revenues to the state budget, financing criminal networks and uncontrolled access to products that do not meet quality or hygiene standards.”

    Excise duty was previously increased in April of this year. Excise duties and cigarette prices in Romania are the highest in the European Union in relation to purchasing power.

    Araya argues that the tax increases make smuggling very profitable because cigarettes can be bought in neighboring countries at around half the price of those in Romania.

  • Romania to Hike ‘Sin Taxes’

    Romania to Hike ‘Sin Taxes’

    Photo: Maksym Kapliuk

    Romania’s government will increase tobacco and alcohol excise duties as of Aug. 1, aiming to boost public revenue, reports SeeNews. The measure will be followed by a 10 percent tax hike on sugary drinks effective Jan. 1, 2023

    The excise duty on tobacco and alcohol has been unchanged since 2015.

    The European Union requires member states to impose an excise duty of at least 60 percent of the weighted average retail selling price of cigarettes. 

    The Romanian government expects the measures to boost budget revenues by RON1.2 billion ($242 million) this year and RON10.57 billion in 2023.