PM demands strengthened prevention and strict handling of cigarette smuggling

The Government Office released a document conveying the Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s direction to prevent tobacco smuggling, illegal trading of e-cigarettes and heating cigarettes.

In this regard, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministries of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Defense, People's Committees of provinces and cities (especially routes, border areas and border gates) to direct relevant forces to closely coordinate and strengthen management, patrol, control and prevent smuggling, illegal import, transportation and trading of cigarette, cigars, electronic cigarette and heating cigarette.

Violations will be strictly handled as per the Government's Decree 98/2020/ND-CP dated August 26, 2020 on sanctioning of administrative violations in trading and production of counterfeit goods, banned goods and consumer rights protection.

They should set up schemes to fight and strictly deal with lines, gangs, traffickers of smuggled cigarettes.

The National Steering Committee 389 where the customs is the core force monitors and urges local authorities to fight against cigarette smuggling.

The Prime Minister asked the Vietnam Tobacco Association to exchange and provide information on organizations and individuals that smuggle, transport, store and trade smuggled cigarettes.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum