The tobacco lobby says boosting taxes on its products will just encourage black market sales and cut national revenue – undermining any attempt to funnel revenue into the bloc’s next long-term budget.
So…they’re straight up admitting that they’re just going to start selling their product under the table, if this passes?
They’re probably trying to say that cigarettes will simply be bought in non-EU states and brought in by others to sell. Which will definitely happen and is already happening. If anything an increase will only marginally effect the current underground market.
So they’re just trying to fear monger a bit. They know current smokers will continue to buy and it. Doesn’t matter if they buy it from a 3rd party seller or not. They made their money. What these companies fear is that high prices will discourage future smokers from starting
So…they’re straight up admitting that they’re just going to start selling their product under the table, if this passes?
Sure sounds like it to anyone able to figure out that 1+1=2, yes.
They’re probably trying to say that cigarettes will simply be bought in non-EU states and brought in by others to sell. Which will definitely happen and is already happening. If anything an increase will only marginally effect the current underground market.
So they’re just trying to fear monger a bit. They know current smokers will continue to buy and it. Doesn’t matter if they buy it from a 3rd party seller or not. They made their money. What these companies fear is that high prices will discourage future smokers from starting