site.btaStudy Shows Lowest Level of Share of Consumption of Contraband Cigarettes

Study Shows Lowest Level of
Share of Consumption of Contraband
Cigarettes

Sofia, August 8 (BTA) - The share of consumption of contraband
cigarettes in Bulgaria in 2018 is 5.8 per cent, down 0.8 per
cent from the last quarter of 2017, and the lowest since studies
 of the market share of illegal cigarettes began in Bulgaria,
according to the results of the latest such study presented
Wednesday in Sofia.

The results of the study were presented to Prime Minister Boyko
Borissov and representatives of the institutions directly
responsible for counteracting illegal trade.

The study showed that the main brands of illegally traded
cigarettes and the owners of the brands remain unchanged. Also,
new brands appear all the time which quickly spread nationwide,
replacing other brands.

Interior Minister Valentin Radev said that nearly 20 t
contraband loose tobacco and more than ten million cigarettes
were impounded in the past six months. A total of 553 pre-trial
proceedings for illegal sale of cigarettes have been instituted.
 

Borissov said that judging by the statistics, Bulgaria is
effectively counteracting the contraband in cigarettes. The
Prime Minister said that the good results were achieved thanks
to "the commitment of the prosecuting magistracy in tackling the
 issue and the rapid reaction of the regional prosecution
offices".

Borissov said that the good results against contraband trade are
 to translate in 200-300 million leva more in budget revenue
this year. He said also that the budget is currently with a
positive balance and that more funding can be allocated not just
 to the social sphere but to all other sectors. RQ/ZH
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