Contrabanda, creștere record pentru ultimii zece ani

In July 2026, the black market for cigarettes rose to nearly 14% of total consumption, marking the largest increase in over a decade. The most significant growth was observed in the southwest region and Bucharest, with illegal trade reaching 17.4% and 17.5%, respectively. Bulgaria remains a major source of illegal cigarettes, while products of unknown origin have increased significantly. The data highlights the urgent need for effective measures against illicit tobacco trade, which impacts public revenues and the legal economy. Authorities have confiscated around 105 million cigarettes in the first eight months of the year, and recent legislative efforts aim to curb illegal sales from EU countries.