Europe: Hungary Poised to Make Tobacco Sales State Monopoly

Source from:  realdeal.hu 06/15/2012

Hungarian parliament could likely take a final vote on a bill that would establish a state monopoly on retail tobacco sales after the summer recess as the European Commission has raised no objection to planned legislation in an ongoing notification procedure, the EC website shows. Three members states – the Czech Republic, Greece and Germany – formed an opinion on the bill but their comments fail to contain a strong case to declare that the planned legislation was running against EU law, experts familiar with the process told MTI. They noted, however, that the Hungarian government must respond to every question before taking a final vote. Hungarian Parliament discussed the bill in February but delayed final vote until after the European Commission issues an opinion on the matter. MPs of governing Fidesz submitted the bill to Parliament last December that would require a concession from the state for retail tobacco sales and limit the number of retail outlets from 2013.Enditem