Philippines: Lucky Strike Maker Backs Drive vs Illegal Tobacco Trade

Source from:  ABS CBN News 06/28/2013

British American Tobacco, maker of Lucky Strike, said it supports the government in its drive against illegal tobacco trade and its combat versus those evading taxes.

"BAT continues to fight the illegal tobacco trade. These people don't abide by the law or follow government regulation. They don't pay taxes, they don't care what's in their products, and they happily sell to minors," Robert Eugenio, corporate and regulatory affairs head at BAT Philippines, said.

Moreover, he said "We strongly support close monitoring by government to ensure that everyone follows the law and pays the right taxes."

His statement was made following LT Group Inc.'s earlier claim that illegal tobacco trade and non-payment of taxes by some small cigarette players were a concern ever since the government implemented its new sin tax law.

Eugenio said that his company has so far not felt any impact of possible illegal trade of cigarettes, given the firm's less than one-percent share of the domestic market.

"After an excise increase there is bound to be some movements in the market, like consumers switching brand preferences and companies' losing or gaining market share," Eugenio said. Enditem