Bulgaria Accelerates Excise Label Changeover

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 12/09/2008

Bulgaria caught most tobacco manufacturers by surprise last week by voting in favor of cutting to three months the length of time they have to switch to new cigarette excise labels, according to a Dnevnik report. Previously, it had been agreed that the old labels would be valid until the manufacturers ran out of forecast quantities, but no later than June 31. JT International was said to have protested against the decision, complaining that such a last-minute change did not allow for strategic planning. In addition, tobacco association members, JT International, British American Tobacco, Philip Morris International, Karelia and Imperial Tobacco, were said to be preparing to write in protest at the new regulations. Bulgartabac, meanwhile, is understood to support the change. Enditem