Romania Reports Fewer Smuggled, Counterfeit Cigarettes In 2007

“It seems the trend of illegal cigarette consumption is on a descending scale as the percentage of smuggled cigarettes decreased from 16% in 2006 to the current 12%,” said Bucur.

The official said that 186 criminal records for smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes were opened last year, incriminating some 194 people.

Last year over 27 million cigarettes and more than 25 tons of tobacco were confiscated.

The official said that the cigarettes are illegally brought into the country or are simply produced in illegal factories in Romania.

The regional conference “Preventing and Fighting against Smuggled and Counterfeit Cigarettes” took place in capital city Bucharest between May 5 and May 8.