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Government gets $1.3m tobacco payment
14 February 2010
Japan Tobacco International (JTI),which produces some of the world’s most popular cigarettes, made the payment to the government under an agreement between certain EU member states and the tobacco giant.
The money was transferred to the exchequer shortly before Christmas, as a result of a 15year agreement to combat contraband and counterfeit cigarettes.
The agreement includes substantial payments to certain EU member states to fight cigarette smuggling.
JTI produces brands such as Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, Camel and Winston. It also produces Hamlet cigars and Old Holborn tobacco. The payment is one of a string of initiatives targeting illegal cigarettes.
In November, the Revenue Commissioners signed a memorandum of understanding with JTI. The agreement will see the two sides share information and improve cooperation to counteract smuggling and the black market trade in cigarettes.
The Revenue seized 200 million cigarettes last year, of which 120 million came from one major seizure. The state has prosecuted a number of smugglers.
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