Anti-smoking group urges Hy-Vee to stop selling tobacco products
As they continue their mission to reduce tobacco use in Iowa, a group is calling on Hy-Vee to stop selling tobacco products in its stores.The Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance (ITPA) posted a petition online to get the West Des Moines-based grocery chain to stop selling tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, at any store that has a pharmacy or health clinic.
http://wqad.com/2014/11/23/anti-smoking-group-urges-hy-vee-to-stop-selling-tobacco-products/
Lear MorePricey cloud of smoke over BAT
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the British tax authority, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), had hit BAT with a £650000 (R11.2-million) fine for oversupplying cigarettes into the Belgian market.Because tobacco products in Belgium have a lower tax rate, the practice has meant the surplus can be smuggled back to the UK, according to the paper.This is the first time the UK tax authority has penalised a major cigarette producer for the “oversupply of products to high-risk overseas markets”, according to documents seen by Wall Street Journal staff.
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Sunderland smuggler jailed for part in £1.3m cigarette operation
A SUNDERLAND smuggler has been jailed for his part in a £1.3million cigarette smuggling gang.Glen Chrisp, of Pear Tree Mews, Sunderland, was part of a 10-strong gang brought before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, to face conspiracy charges of fraudulent evasion of £1.3m duty, and money laundering a total of £820,000 in profits from the scam, between January 2010 and October 2012.Newcastle Crown Court heard hundreds of thousands of pounds passed through the bank accounts of the conspirators involved – who were all claiming benefits – and hundreds of flights and boat trips were booked to collect shipments from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg.
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How Amazon India deals with Fake Products
How does Amazon India deal with fake products? A couple of days ago, we were alerted about an allegedly fake Xiaomi Power Bank being sold on Amazon India, with verified buyers writing reviews indicating that the product being sold is fake. What’s worth noting is that this product is a part of the “Fulfilled by Amazon” program, which means that it is being warehoused with Amazon India, and delivered by them. Given that fake goods are being sold online, and brands are warning consumers against purchasing products online (details here), the fact that a product is being Fulfilled by Amazon would make a consumer more confident about purchasing it.
http://www.medianama.com/2014/10/223-amazon-india-fake/
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North East family gang smuggling £750,000 of tobacco sentenced
A gang of North East smugglers, including four members of the same family, has been sentenced today after their £750,000 tobacco smuggling ring was stopped by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).The gang of 10, led by Michael Linney from South Shields, was caught out when HMRC officers intercepted parcels containing illegal tobacco, which were being delivered to addresses across South Tyneside.Also involved were: Michael Linney’s wife, Victoria Linney, his daughter, Kirsten Jane Linney, Grant Smith, Justin Sheriff, Glenn Paul Chrisp, Leonard Clouston, Lee Ellison, and Paul Anthony Lowery, all from South Shields, as well as Michael Linney’s son, Kris Michael Linney, from Jarrow.
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Counterfeits bulldozed in Swiss awareness campaign
Switzerland’s Stop Piracy group publicly destroyed 15,000 tonnes of counterfeit watches and two tonnes of illicit medicines last month as part of an awareness-raising campaign.The ‘destruction derby’ – which took place in Berne on October 21 – was designed to tie in with the ongoing ‘We subsidise criminals’ media campaign that aims to make consumers aware of the organised networks behind counterfeiting.
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The true cost of cheap tobacco on the streets of Plymouth
TOBACCO smuggling is supporting criminality in the city and “robbing taxpayers of millions”. In the last 12 months, Trading Standards officers in Plymouth has seized nearly £13,000 worth of tobacco and cigarettes. Each year HMRC and Border Force prevent billions of cigarettes and hundreds of tonnes of illegal tobacco entering the UK. While some non-UK duty paid (NUKDP) tobacco is brought into the country legitimately by smokers returning from abroad for their own consumption, some is smuggled into the UK solely for illegal sale. This illegal activity is undertaken by individuals, right through to organised criminal gangs (OCGs).
Lear MoreGerman national arrested after 2.5million cigarettes seized at Tilbury Docks
A GERMAN man was arrested at Tilbury Docks on suspicion of smuggling 2.5 million cigarettes into the UK.The haul, worth around £580,000 in lost revenue, was seized by HM Revenue and Customs on Monday The 36-year-old was arrested after detection by Border Force officers.The Gold Mount cigarettes had arrived from Zeebrugge in Belguim.Jennie Kendall, spokesperson for HMRC, said: “This was a substantial haul of illegal cigarettes, destined for sale on UK streets through black market profiteers.
Lear MoreStriving towards balanced tobacco regulation in Nigeria
The recent public hearing held by the Senate to gauge the views of stakeholders in the tobacco industry towards passing a legislation regulating the production and consumption of tobacco products in Nigeria brought together stakeholders across the tobacco debate divide. It was a mix of various groups representing interests on both sides of the tobacco debate.The debates were robust as all the stakeholders – the anti-tobacco coalition on one hand and the tobacco industry, including British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International, on the other – were given the opportunity to state their views on the bill under consideration.
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Issue Directive on enhancing the tobacco smuggling
On September 30th, 2014, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 30/CT-TTg on enhancing the tobacco smuggling.According to the Directive, In order to gradually stop and tackle the tobacco smuggling, trafficking, concealment and trading of illegally imported tobacco, the Prime Minister orders The Ministry of Industry and Trade to direct the Market control forces to enhance the management of domestic market, regularly inspect wholesale or retail outlets of the illegally importer tobacco in order to quickly detect and tackle with violators; cooperate with the Police forces in inspection at such outlets; Take charge and cooperate with relevant authorities in amendments to the Joint Circular No. 36/2012/TTLT-BCT-BCA-BTP-BYT-TANDTC-VKSNDTC dated December 7, 2012 on decreasing the amount of packs of illegally imported tobacco as the basis for criminal prosecution.
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