In March 2015, illegal cigarette trade declined significantly compared to January. Contraband declined 7 points in the northwest of the country, to 13.3%, 5.3 points in the west, to 24.1%, and 4.6 points in the southwest, to 21.7%. The northeastern region remains the most affected by smuggling despite a 6.5-point decline to 34.7%.
“Cheap whites”, cigarettes that have no legitimate market, continue to account for the largest part of the cigarette black market, at 40.8%. Smuggling from Ukraine and Serbia remained relatively constant, at 20% and 2.9%, respectively, while smuggling from Moldova rose 6.8 points, to 27.6%, said Novel Research manager Marian Marcu.
While commending the decline of the black market, helped by concerted actions of tobacco companies and authorities, the three tobacco companies operating in Romania, JTI, Phillip Morris and BAT Romania, continue to call for measures fighting cigarette contraband and coherent legislation.
The tobacco industry is the second largest tax payer in Romania after the oil industry.