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

The European Commission has announced a multi-year agreement with Imperial Tobacco Limited (ITL) to work together in tackling the illicit trade in tobacco products. Under the legally binding agreement, ITL 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 ITL to the Commission and Member States, totalling $300 million (€207 million) over the next 20 years. It should make a significant contribution to the EU’s efforts to fight the illicit tobacco trade, which costs the EU and Member States billions of euros every year.

European Commission: Memo/10/448: Contraband and counterfeit cigarettes: FAQs http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/448&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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