On Tuesday, May 20th, the first campaign against cigarette smuggling was launched in the north-east, the region most affected by the black market.

The "Faracontrabanda.ro" portal launched on May 20th at the Sculeni border crossing, Iași county, is the first campaign against cigarette smuggling in the North-East of the country. The north-east is the region worst-affected by the black market, with 32.4% of the market being contraband in March 2014, the highest level in the last three years, according to findings by Novel Research.

"We are dealing with a very high level of cigarette smuggling in this region. There has been an 8.2%. growth in illicit trade, from 24.2% in January to 32.4% in March 2014. In March, the share of goods originating from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine is rising. 38.9% of smuggled cigarettes are from Ukraine and 48.9% from the Republic of Moldova", said Marian Marcu, General Manager of Novel Research.

"This campaign is to inform the public about the deeply negative effects the illicit trade in cigarettes has on society. Those who buy from the black market give criminals a helping hand. Each one of us can make a difference, by refusing to buy their next pack of cigarettes from smugglers", stated Cristina Vasiloiu, General Manager of Euromonitor Business Consulting Services.

"The rise of cigarette smuggling proves that criminal networks have the capacity to adapt. Fighting illicit trade at the border with Moldova is a priority for us, as well as dismantling these networks which harm the entire society. With this purpose, we will intensify our efforts to reduce illicit cigarette trade at border crossings, as well as on the green border", specified Chief Commissioner Ștefan Alexa, from the Territorial Inspectorate of the Iași Border Police.

The message "Buy smuggled goods, work for the thieves. Open your eyes, stay on the side of the law" will be broadcast through various communication channels (media, information material, direct communication). Partnerships have been agreed with the City Halls of Suceava, Iaşi, Botoşani, Vaslui and Piatra Neamţ to disseminate the campaign's message. A car cut in half will be exhibited  at local festivities in Suceava, Piatra Neamţ, Paşcani, Gura Humorului and Cetatea Neamţului in order for the public to understand how cigarettes are being transported. The other half of the car will be placed in turn in the border points of Sculeni and Albiţa. Over 220,000 fliers will be handed out via mail across the counties where the campaign is carried out.

Based on a creative concept conceived by CAP, soon to be carried out by Pastel, the campaign is carried out in partnership with Euromonitor Business Consulting Services, as well as the Border Police, the National Agency for Fiscal Administration - General Directorate of Customs, with support from JTI. The campaign will take place during the period May - July, in the counties of Suceava, Iaşi, Botoşani, Neamţ, Vaslui and Bacău.