Source: Ponta News - 16/07/2010

For tobacco advocates, in addition to taking the source of income from a large number of families, the application of Articles 9 and 10 would encourage cigarette smuggling. Present in Buenos Aires, the president of the Tobacco Sectorial Chamber, Romeu Schneider, commented that the Brazilian smoker is used to the American blend type cigarette, made with the combination of different fumes. Schneider believes that, with the end of the manufacture of the product in national territory, a good part of the consumers will appeal to contraband cigarettes. "Paraguay will celebrate if Brazil ratifies this ban," he said.

According to Romeu Schneider, it is estimated that the illegal market accounts for a third of cigarette consumption in the country, representing R $ 2 billion that are no longer collected in taxes per year. He believes that, with the ban on the blend, smuggling will double, surpassing the formal market in sales. Based on this, it is bet that, instead of decreasing, the health risks of smokers would increase, as recalled Congressman Sérgio Moraes, also a member of the forum held yesterday. “The cigarette produced in Brazil is within international health standards, unlike that which comes from outside. Accepting the restrictions, Brazil will be left with more unemployed and more sick. ”
Source: ConesulNews