EU struggles to renew deal with Big Tobacco

Feature published in Politico on 9 December 2015 regarding the renewal of the contract between the European Union tobacco company Philip Morris which locks the company into a range of distribution measures to stop genuine tobacco products from being traded on the black market.

Investigators working on the illicit production and trade of cigarettes insisted that the EU agreement signed with Philip Morris in 2004 had given them real firepower in tackling a complex law enforcement issue that is estimated to cost EU countries €10 billion in lost tax revenue every year.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 04.12.15: EU admits parts of tobacco deal too bureaucratic https://euobserver.com/justice/131355

Politico, 15.12.15: United Nations agency gives EU a tobacco warning http://www.politico.eu/article/united-nations-eu-tobacco-warning-smuggling-health-lobbying/

EUObserver, 07.01.16: EU needs more time to assess €1 billion tobacco deal https://euobserver.com/economic/131726

Politico, 21.01.16: Brussels blocks Big Tobacco lobbying push http://www.politico.eu/article/commission-blocks-tobacco-lobbys-cigarette-repackaging-bid-technology-business-politics-commission-debate/

EUObserver, 26.01.16: EU budget chief 'sorry' for tobacco report delay https://euobserver.com/economic/131989

EUObserver, 15.02.16: EU tobacco deal needs thorough update if renewed https://euobserver.com/economic/132255

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