Press Release: European Commission and British American Tobacco sign agreement to combat illicit trade in tobacco

On 15 July 2010 the European Commission announced a multi-year agreement with British American Tobacco (BAT) to work together in tackling the illicit trade in tobacco products.

Under the legally binding agreement, BAT will work with the European Commission, its anti-fraud office OLAF, and Member States’ law enforcement authorities to help in the fight against contraband and counterfeit cigarettes.

The Agreement includes substantial payments by BAT to the Commission and Member States, totalling US$200 million (€134 million) over the next 20 years. It should make a significant contribution to the EU’s efforts to fight the illicit tobacco trade, which cost the EU and Member States billions of Euros every year.

European Commission: MEMO/10/334: Contraband and counterfeit cigarettes: FAQs http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/334&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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