The European Commission announced its decision on Thursday 10 October to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice for failing to apply the minimum excise duty threshold on cigarettes in force in the European Union.
This is set at 60% of the weighted average retail selling price of cigarettes.
After a long transition period, followed by a reasoned opinion from the Commission on 6 June last, calling on Hungary to align its rates (see EUROPE B12271A19), the Commission took the next step and...