ITALIAN AND AUSTRIAN MONOPOLY ADMINISTRATIONS MET IN ROME

From left to right: Ernst Koresta (Deputy Manager of Austrian Monopoly Agency), Giovanni RIsso (FIT Chairman), Hannes Hofer (Manager of the Austrian Monopoly Agency), Barbara Toxiri (European Affairs Manager in FIT), Marco Ganassi (European Affairs Department in FIT), Stefano Bartoli (FIT General Manager) and Gianluca Basso (European Affairs Department in FIT)

Before meeting the Manager of the Italian Customs and Monopoly Agency Benedetto Mineo, the Manager of the Austrian Monopoly Agency, Hannes Hofer and his Deputy Chief Executive Officer Ernst Koresta visited the representatives of the Italian Federation of Tobacconists to get a brief talk on the tobacconists’ economic situation in Europe. Hofer said the two Monopoly agencies will work together to involve other European administrations with a similar system.

on the left : Benedetto Mineo, Italian Customs and Monopoly Agency Manager - on the right : the Austrian Monopoly Agency Manager, Hannes Hofer

This is the first meeting between Mineo and Hofer at the Monopoly Agency Place Mastai in Rome in the context of institutional relationships between the European administrations responsible for tobacco regulation. Main topics discussed: distributing and selling tobacco in both countries, comparing the rules of location and implementation of tobacco shops, the types of products concerned and the ban on sales to minors.

ITALIAN TOBACCONISTS DEMONSTRATION

On May 8, 2019 thousands of tobacconists demonstrated in the streets of Rome to oppose the government's political and economic choices that affect the whole profession. Arrived in the capital from all over Italy, the tobacconists, as entrepreneurs, asked for the setting up of a long-term policy on tobacco products, new generation products and gambling.

The CEDT chairman, Peter Schweinschwaller, was present in Rome on May 8 to provide personal support to the Italian tobacconists, on the occasion of the demonstration whose slogan was: Save our tobacconists! "Your fight is our fight! It is with this motto that Chairman Peter Schweinschwaller, sent a message of solidarity to thousands of tobacconists came from all over Italy to demonstrate.

Giovanni Risso, chairman of the Italian Federation of tobacconists, clearly articulated the needs of the profession by stating: "We are seasoned and determined to get answers. Tobacco is the product that identifies us, since the state allowed us to sell it by paying us a percentage of selling price. Thus, this remuneration has not changed for 27 years. It is high time that the government increases it but with a few reservations. I am referring to new generation products which require a lower taxation compared to the traditional tobacco products".

Thanks to the participation of the current President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, who has always paid attention to the tobacconists’ requests and, thanks to the CEDT Chairman, the message did not stay in Rome but reached Brussels. In addition, Tajani said on the platform in front of the protesters: "In Brussels, you will always find a friend who defends the rights of those who, such as yourselves, respect and enforce the rules". He also welcomed the importance of their social role and proximity services".

During this day, the Italian tobacconists strongly recalled: "We want to be listened to."

THE ECTR’S MEMBERS VISITING THE HUNGARIAN TOBACCONISTS

On 23 November 2018, at the invitation of the Hungarian Alliance of Tobacconists’ Chairman, Antal Lengyel, who is the ECRT’s Chairman as well, the ECRT’s members visited the National exhibition of Hungarian retailers of monopoly goods and attended a conference on the subject. That was a very important event for the whole sector with the participation of many representatives of the Magyar political and institutional world.

The European tobacconists were hosted at the Hungarian Parliament

The ECRT’s members also visited the Hungarian Parliament where they met the Vice-President of Parliament, Istvan Jakab, to speak about issues related to tobacco regulations approved recently. Mr Jakab not only praised the excellent economic results of Hungarian tobacconists, but also the decline in smoking due to the adoption of State Monopoly on the Retail Sale of Tobacco.

The Plain Tobacco Packaging Measure is not convincing

On the occasion of the conference organised by the Hungarian Alliance of Tobacconists, it is increasingly recognized that the plain tobacco packaging has no effect on smoking prevalence, as evidenced by the French experience.

Following tough oppositions between the Hungarian Authority and representatives of the Magyar Alliance of Tobacconists supported by the CEDT, the Orban government decided to postpone the introduction of the plain tobacco packaging until 2022 while scheduled on May 2019.

Vice-President (third from right), Magyar Alliance of Tobacconists’ Chairman Antal Lengyel (second from right) with the ECTR’s members.

The exclusive sales of products different from traditional cigarettes are needed

Five years after the introduction of State Monopoly on the Retail Sale of Tobacco, Hungary is the most recent proof that this type of sale guarantees a better quality control and young smoking prevention.

Therefore, it appears urgent to adopt the same measures as those in place for tobacco products to face possible illegal sales of new smoking products different from traditional cigarettes.

THE ECTR'S ELECTIONS: A NEW PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE BODY

On 6 February at the ECTR's headquarters in Brussels, the members meeting in a General Assembly elected a new Chairman and executive body.

from left to right: Philippe Coy Vice-Chairman (France), Mario Espejo Aguilar Member (Spain), Theodoros Mallios Member (Greece), Peter Schweinschwaller Chairman (Austria), Giovanni Risso Secretary-General (Italy), Antal Lengyel Treasurer (Hungary)

Peter Schweinschwaller (Austria) was elected Chairman, Philippe Coy (France) Vice-Chairman, Giovanni Risso (Italy) Secretary General and Antal Lengyel (Hungary) Treasurer.

Peter Schweinschwaller, representative of Austrian tobacco retailers, wants to highlight and promote the social and economic role of this convenience store network to the European institutions. Its 150,000 points of sale welcome 40% of the European population. Moreover, he is looking forward to further expanding its membership by recruiting other European tobacco retailers ' associations whose interests converge with those of the current members. He aims to strengthen contacts within the tobacco sector to better fight against illegal trafficking.

from left to right: Philippe Coy, Vice-Chairman and Peter Schweinschwaller, Chairman of the ECTR.

As part of his first missions, Chairman Peter Schweinschwaller and his team will develop a common position on products treated as tobacco, thanks to constant exchanges with relevant stakeholders: ECTR's members, institutional actors and tobacco sector operators. In addition, Peter Schweinschwaller considers that these daily meetings with European citizens and a better knowledge of this sales network based on a system of authorisations and licenses, controlled by Regulatory Authorities punctually, are a major asset for effective communication on public health issues.

from left to right: Ernst Koresta, Vice-Chairman of Austrian Tobacco Monopoly Administration, Prirschl Josef, WKO Chairman.

A ECTR MEETING IN ATHENS TO ANTICIPATE MARKET TRENDS

On 19 June 2018, the members of the European Confederation of Tobacco Retailers met in Athens to talk over the sector's priorities and anticipate market trends.

After a warm welcome, the Chairman of the Greek Federation of Kiosks Mr. Theodoros Mallios explained that in Greece most tobacco products are sold in kiosks. However, the number of kiosks has gone down from 12,000 to just over 6,000 outlets since 2010. A sharp decline not only due to the crisis but also to an unprecedented increase in tobacco taxation. In order to cope with the unfavourable economic context, Greek kiosks had to structurally transform their retail outlets while keeping their unique character of driving spirit of their neighbourhoods.

Moreover, the manager of the Austrian Monopoly Mr. Hannes Höfer, who was invited by the ECTR’s members to attend their meeting, took the opportunity to announce his intention to develop regular exchanges with the supervisory authorities of the countries of the ECTR’s members.

The traceability system, required by the last EU Tobacco Directive, was a major topic of the meeting. According to ECTR’s Members, the new provisions for traceability pose relevant challenges for their implementation, especially in Spain and Austria.

On the other hand, the ECTR’s members recognize that Tobacco track and trace system is a key instrument in the fight against cigarettes smuggling. Nevertheless, they hope it will not bring additional costs to the tobacco retailers.

About the ongoing debate of the legalization of the cannabis, i.e. CBD, the ECTR’s members see that there are huge differences between States in legal and trading approaches. They reckon this product requires a European regulation to allow States to control it to the final consumer.

Theodoros Mallios, chairman of the Greek Federation of Kiosks.