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ASH Daily News

Wednesday, 8 December 1999

Headlines

Tobacco cheats face jail
Saudi Warning on Ramadan
‘Taxation in a dematerialised world’
‘Plans for tobacco markings slammed by wholesalers’

Full Text

Tobacco cheats face jail

Shopkeepers selling tobacco without the new proposed duty paid stamps
will face jail and unlimited fines.

Source: Evening Standard West End Final, 8 December 1999

Saudi Warning on Ramadan

Saudi Arabia has said that it will deport non-Muslims who eat, drink
or smoke in public during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

Source: International Herald Tribune, 8 December 1999

‘Taxation in a dematerialised world’

In a discussion of the UK government’s tax strategy, Edward Troup
illustrates several areas of duty in which the consumer is trying to
evade. The article presents a pessimistic picture and suggests the
‘choices for government are limited’. The article argues, ‘So far the
reaction of governments has been purely protectionist. The fight
against tobacco smuggling and attempts to drive off-shore centres out
of business seek to defend the indefensible. Hiding the opportunities
for offshore betting from the British punter is likely to be just as
ineffective’.

Source: Financial Times, 8 December 1999

‘Plans for tobacco markings slammed by wholesalers’

The Independent Retail News reports on the government’s proposed
tobacco markings. The article reports that, ‘The Federation of
Wholesale Distributors is to submit counter proposals to the
Government for combating bootlegging after an emergency meeting
rejected plans to put ‘sell before’ dates on tobacco packs, claiming
they would seriously damage trade’.

The article continues that, ‘The Federation will tell Customs & Excise
the proposals would require wholesalers to carry double stocks – old
date and new date – to meet retailers day-to-day requirements,
increasing the cost of stock holding to a level the market could not
support.’

Source: Independent Retail News, 3 December 1999

Letters to the Independent Retail News

Two letters appear in the Independent Retail News on the issue of
tobacco markings. One retailer suggests that the price be pre-printed
onto the packet and this, ‘would have the same effect as printing UK
duty paid’ stamps.

The other letter is a ‘name and address supplied’. It argues ‘I don’t
know how the Government can believe its plan to introduce sell before
dates on tobacco and cigarettes will help in the battle against
bootlegging. Do MPs really believe that those who buy smuggled
cigarettes will be put off because the packs they buy are more
obviously legal’.

The letter continues, ‘What we really need is a Government with enough
nerve to tackle the root cause of smuggling, which is of course the
massive price differential between cigarettes and tobacco in the UK
and in mainland Europe.’

Source: Independent Retail News, 3 December 1999

Karl Brookes
Project Manager
102 Clifton Street
London EC2A 4HW
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