Brussels, 13/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Presenting the latest statistics on customs seizures of counterfeit products last Friday (EUROPE 9304), the Commissioner with responsibility for Taxation, László Kovács, stressed that counterfeiting costs the EU almost 500 billion EUR every year. Furthermore, counterfeiting represents a "growing threat for public health", because it affects not only luxury products, but also condoms, pregnancy and AIDS virus tests produced in poor hygiene conditions, and even drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, which have been known to contain masonry paint. Defending the strategy to fight piracy and counterfeiting set in place by the Commission in October 2005 (EUROPE 9046), Mr Kovács also called for the help of the European citizens. "If there is no demand on the part of consumers, then there is no supply. Reductions sometimes obtained at a holiday resort are a dangerous illusion", he explained, admitting that there are cases in which only experts can tell the difference between regular and counterfeit products. (eh)