EU report backs joint effort to trace illicit cigarettes

Editor’s Note: The proposed system can’t trace illegally-made cigarettes, a growing problem.

From: Financial Times

Tobacco industry says it should be allowed to manage tracking system itself

by: Paul McClean

A Europe-wide system to track cigarettes should be run by the industry together with independent third parties, according to a draft report commissioned by the EU, in a blow to the companies hoping to secure an individual contract and big tobacco groups.

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Under the new laws, EU countries must ensure that all packets of tobacco products are “marked with a unique identifier” and security stamp, in order to track the packet from factory to shop floor and ensure its legitimacy.

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