Brussels, 22/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 January, between 3000-4000 French, Italian, Spanish, German, Polish and Austrian tobacconists demonstrated in the European quarter of Brussels against measures planned in the new “tobacco” directive proposed by the European Commission on 19 December. They are highly critical of the planned provisions on the packaging, labelling and conditions, which they believe will lead to an explosion in counterfeiting and the black market. This kind of trafficking is already quite significant, given the price differentials between member states and those on tobacco product websites. On the sidelines of a meeting with the vice president of the European Parliament, Gianni Pittella (S&D, Italy), the president of the Confédération européenne des détaillants en tabac (CEDT), Giovanni Risso, asserted that “standardised packets, covered with oversized photos, which contain cigarettes that all have the same taste, will just help criminal gangs active in trafficking and counterfeiting”. Tobacconists are also urging the European institutions to examine the possibility of harmonising prices and adopting measures for tackling cross-border trafficking. Pascal Montredon, the president of the French confederation of tobacconists deplored the fact that “the only measure proposed by the Commission for tackling this illegal trade involves an identification and follow-up system consisting of holograms to ensure that only products that comply with the directive are marketed”. European tobacconists are therefore calling on the European Parliament and Council to avoid “imposing prohibitionist measures” and protect the interests of tens of thousands of family businesses working in the tobacco sector. Pittella promised to listen to the grievances expressed by European tobacconists, “who represent the first and sometimes the only interlocutor between smokers and young people”. The draft directive on tobacco products was presented on 19 December after numerous delays and is expected to be adopted in 2014, following consultation at the Parliament and Council and should enter into force in 2015 or 2016. (IL/transl.fl)