Monthly Archives: April 2016

From: Business World Online

By Keith Richard D. Mariano

THE PUBLIC can now help the government trace smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes by simply using their mobile devices.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has launched a mobile application called Stamp Verifier App that allows users to determine the authenticity of tax stamps affixed to cigarette packs.

BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares, through Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 51-2016, announced the availability of the mobile application for use by both the bureau and the public.

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From: Lawyer Herald

NYPD bust gun-trafficking group; Manhattan DA demands higher punishment for more than 20 guns sold illegally  

From: Royal Canadian Mounted Police | Northeast District

Northeast District RCMP have arrested a man and seized a quantity of contraband cigarettes.

On April 22, 2016, at approximately 9:00 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop on Foster Road in Tracadie and arrested a 59-year-old man from Sheila for being in possession of contraband cigarettes.

Police seized approximately 3,800 contraband cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The man was released from custody on a promise to appear in Tracadie Provincial Court on August 10 at 9:30 a.m. to face charges.

The investigation is continuing.

Editor’s Note: The link between poverty and use of contraband tobacco has been documented in the literature. See Weaponizing Poverty, Appendix 2.

From: Al-Monitor

AUTHOR: Tulay Cetingulec

TRANSLATOR: Sibel Utku Bila

Following the introduction of a strict smoking ban in Turkey in 2008, the great Turkish folk singer Neset Ertas became the first person to publicly challenge then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over his tough attitude toward smokers. In a television program in 2009, the late Ertas interrupted Erdogan as he spoke on the issue and said, “Those miserable poor people are already beat. Electricity bills unpaid, water bills unpaid, not even bread and olives to eat. The cigarette is the only thing they have left. Don’t meddle with the people’s cigarettes.”

From: The Burton Mail

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Testing has now been completed by the county council’s scientific services team which has confirmed the vast majority of the cigarettes, both counterfeit and illicit, burned to the end when left, contravening British and EU safety laws.

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“Aside from the content being unregulated, cigarettes fail to extinguish themselves when left to burn, presenting a real danger to people.

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