The number of contraband
cigarettes on the Italian market increased 20% in 2014,
according to figures in a report by auditors KPMG presented on
Thursday at a two-day conference organised by British American
Tobacco.
It said some 4.42 billion illegal cigarettes were consumed
in Italy last year, with a loss of tax revenues of 770 million
euros for the State.
KPMG estimated that illegal cigarettes accounted for 5.6%
of the overall market, up from 4.7% in 2013.
The situation is even worse in many parts of the rest of
Europe.
The report said that some 56.6 billion illegal cigarettes
were consumed in the European Union last year, 10.4% of the
overall market.
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