Source: Folha de S. Paulo - São Paulo / SP - 23/07/2010

Cigarette
The article “Far beyond inspecting borders” (by André Franco Montoro Filho, “Trends / Debates”, 20/7) brings up the issue of cigarette smuggling, which deserves to be treated as a priority topic on the public agenda, but clarify two myths.
The first is that smuggled cigarettes from Paraguay are of inferior quality to those of the official industry. All cigarettes contain hundreds of toxic substances and are equally harmful, regardless of taste or sophistication.
The second myth is that the biggest stimulus to illegal trade is the significant difference in the tax burden and, consequently, in prices between the two countries. What favors smuggling is the lack of control, the inefficiency and complexity of the tax collection and administration systems (not their level), in addition to corruption and organized crime.
ALINE BIZ, Tobacco Control Alliance (São Paulo, SP)

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