Today, October 1, a new public anti-smuggling campaign was launched with the message "The law is good!", carried out in partnership with the Romanian Customs Authority, the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova, the Border Police of the Republic of Moldova, with the support of JTI. The campaign will take place on both banks of the Prut, in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, with the message being promoted on street billboards in Bucharest and in all border regions, in Chisinau and in the districts most affected by illicit trade, as well as on TVR, TVR 2 , TVR regional stations (Iași, Cluj, Timișoara, Craiova, Târgu-Mureș), TVR Moldova and online at www.faracontrabanda.ro, www.facebook.com/faracontrabanda.ro, during October-December.

"The law is good! aims to raise awareness of the negative effects of the illegal cigarette trade: fueling organized crime, harming the state budget, halting the economic development of border towns, through an unconventional but memorable creative approach, with novel situations, humor and intelligence", a declared Alexandru Lupu, Director General of Communicator Media, the creator of the campaign.

According to the latest data from Novel Research, the black market of cigarettes stood at 8.4% of total consumption in July, after a record level in May of 10.4%, the highest in the last four years.

"The public campaign launched today is part of the programs we have been running in partnership with JTI for almost 15 years. Thus, apart from this kind of awareness-raising effort on the effects of the illegal cigarette trade, since 2010 JTI has been supporting mobile dog teams and also contributed to the establishment of a new Dog Team Training Center in Pantelimon. More than 60 dogs are active at customs points across the country, being trained to detect cigarettes, cash, drugs and, more recently, ammunition. The Romanian Customs Authority will continue, as before, the efforts to increase the logistic capacities, professional development and cooperation with all competent internal institutions, as well as with specific international organizations and the honest private environment", said Marcel Simion Mutescu, president of the Customs Authority Romanians.

"Every percentage point decrease in smuggling means tens of millions of euros recovered from the budget. Only JTI Romania transferred to the state last year about 1.3 billion euros from excise duties, VAT, and other taxes and contributions, representing over 75% of the turnover. We are also among the most profitable companies in Romania, we export about 75% of the production of the Pipera Platform factory, which this year celebrated its 30th anniversary since its inauguration, and we invest substantially in the community and culture. Usually, in the fall and winter, smuggling increases, along with the costs of daily living. The current year is even more complicated, because it is an electoral year, with a significant budget deficit. The black market can ruin plans to increase budget revenues, if the schedule for increasing excise duties, changed at the beginning of this year, will not be respected", stated Gilda Lazăr, Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications JTI Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria .

"The Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova is strongly committed to unifying joint efforts and intensifying international cooperation to effectively fight against illicit trade in goods, in particular, increased attention is directed to combating illicit traffic in tobacco products, which is a global problem and has a direct link to cross-border crime. However, cigarette smuggling, including counterfeit products, is currently assessed as one of the most serious security risks on the Moldovan-Romanian border segment, affecting considerably both national and EU member state budgets.In this sense, the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova supports this initiative and joins the public anti-smuggling campaign, in order to convey a strong message of discouraging illegal trade and promoting compliance with the law, thus reaffirming its firm commitment to protecting the national economy and of society as a whole", added Alexandru Iacub, director of the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova.

"The Border Police of the Republic of Moldova reaffirms its commitment to preventing and combating the smuggling of tobacco products, supporting the launch of this public awareness campaign. Smuggling is not only a violation of the law, but also a threat to public health, the economy and the safety of citizens. Although combating this phenomenon remains a challenge, our efforts are constantly focused on preventing and deterring illegal activities at the border. Collaboration with other institutions and the active involvement of citizens are essential elements in this struggle. Awareness campaigns like the one launched today play an important role in educating the public about the risks associated with contraband and the need to comply with the law. We rely on the public's support to report suspicious behavior and avoid involvement in such illegal activities. The Border Police will continue to act with responsibility, dedication and vigilance, to ensure the protection of borders and contribute to maintaining a climate of legality and safety", said the head of the Border Police of the Republic of Moldova, Ruslan Galușca, chief commissioner.

JTI Romania was the first tobacco company to sign a Protocol to combat smuggling in 2005, first with the National Fiscal Administration Agency, then with the National Customs Authority. More than 60 dogs specially trained to detect drugs, tobacco products and cash, donated by the company over the last 13 years to the Customs Authority, operate at the border points. A donation for 22 dogs was signed in November 2023, and another, for five dogs and equipment for maintenance and training, is in preparation. Eight dog teams from Odessa, Ukraine are currently in training at the ANV Training Center with support from EUAM and JTI.

In 2013, the company signed a Cooperation Protocol with the Border Police, renewed in 2018, and over time donated state-of-the-art equipment needed for border monitoring. Last year, JTI donated a drone and other equipment to the Coast Guard. Also, JTI Romania runs public anti-smuggling campaigns in partnership with the authorities since 2010. The campaigns have been extended in the last three years also in the Republic of Moldova.

JTI has been present in the Republic of Moldova since 2005. JTI Moldova has signed agreements with law enforcement authorities in order to combat the illicit trade in tobacco products. Thus, in 2008, a collaboration Protocol was concluded with the Customs Service, and in 2011 and 2013 with the Border Police and the General Police Inspectorate. In 2018-2020, JTI signed again the Protocols of collaboration with the law enforcement institutions of the Republic of Moldova mentioned above to strengthen the fight against illegal trade in tobacco products.

Over the years, JTI Moldova has contributed to the purchase of technical equipment for the Customs Service and the Border Police, supported the training of officers and donated means of transport equipped with special anti-fraud control equipment, as well as canine teams to combat the illegal trafficking of tobacco products . In 2024, the Customs Service received a donation including three service dogs and a modular house, and the Border Police was supported by the donation of a canine team vehicle, as well as computing and aerial surveillance equipment.

JTI is one of the world's largest manufacturers of tobacco and vaping products, with operations in over 130 countries. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI has approximately 46,000 employees and is a member of the Japan Tobacco group. For more information, visit www.jti.com.