In January 2010, cigarette contraband reached an all-time high of 36.2%, fueled by massive cigarette excise hikes. Illicit cigarette trade then entered a downward trend and dropped to 22.5% of the total cigarette market in January this year, below 15% in March and to 11.8% in May, according to the source.
The cigarette black market increased to 15.7% in July, decreased to 11.8% in September and returned to 15% in November, so the 2011 average stands at 15.2%.
Illicit cigarette trade increased by over three percentage points in two months, Gilda Lazar, corporate affairs & communications manager with JTI Romania, said in a press release.
Adrian Popa, corporate & regulatory affairs manager with BAT Romania, said authorities need to increase efforts to fight contraband, which have proved successful so far.