By KYIV. Nov 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) – MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak (the Holos faction) called on the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) of Ukraine to more effectively combat illegal cigarette retail outlets throughout the country, as well as to complete an investigation to bring manufacturers and distributors of such products to justice.
Zhelezniak wrote on his Telegram channel on Wednesday that the fight against the shadow tobacco market in Ukraine is important, since illegal products now account for a record 21.9% of the market since independence.
"According to Kantar’s calculations, illegal products now make up a record 21.9% of the market. To understand, this figure has never been more than 9% until 2021. Some 20% is exclusively internal counterfeit. Even in the days of Yanukovych it was 8.5%. At the same time, now it is exclusively internal counterfeit, and only this year budget losses from illegal products amounted to UAH 20.6 billion," the MP stressed in the message.
As an example, he cited the case of the closing of a stall with illegal cigarettes near the entrance to the Darnytsia metro station in Kyiv on November 2 by the National Police of Ukraine, a photo with evidence of the illegal work of which the MP published on his Telegram channel.
"Finally, the point is closed. However, the National Police did it, but it is at least something. Dubious efficiency, if it took a meeting of a parliamentary committee to close one point and then debriefing at the round table on the tobacco market at the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine," Zhelezniak wrote.
"I would like to see from the BES how this and other cases will be worked out. The main thing with the investigation is who supplies and manufactures products for this stall and 100,500 more of these across the country," the MP stated.
As reported with reference to the European Business Association (EBA), Ukrainian business representatives expect the country’s law enforcement system to take active steps to combat shadow markets, including production of illegal cigarettes, and are ready to assist law enforcement officers in establishing damage from the illegal activities of such enterprises.
