Brussels, 16/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 16 July, László Kovács, the Commissioner with responsibility for Taxation, presented a proposed directive which gradually increases the minimum rates of excise on cigarettes and rolling tobacco (see EUROPE 9704). He indicated that the proposal pursued several objectives: improving the functioning of the internal market by fighting illegal trade and cross-border purchases; reducing levels of smoking, which kills 650,000 people every year,...