A question of smuggling
Cigarette smuggling in Poland has increased significantly as the country has raised tobacco taxes to comply with European Union membership requirements.
A German member of the European Parliament has asked the Commission what it is doing to combat the smuggling of tobacco products.
In a preamble to his question, Wolf Klinz said the EU was confronted with the smuggling of tobacco products across its eastern and southern borders, and, because of the low prices of these products, with the undermining of the EU’s efforts to limit smoking.
He asked whether the Commission was aware of the smuggling methods and the organised groups behind the smuggling, and what the Commission was doing to combat the smuggling.
The Commission is due to answer in writing.