An end to the sale of smuggled tobacco in public tenders

Smuggled cigarettes and tobacco will be destroyed.
 
Israeli customs authorities announced last week a new unified rule aiming at the destruction of smuggled cigarettes and tobacco, replacing the old rule which allowed the sale of such items under public tenders.
 
According to the new rule, smuggled tobacco and cigarettes seized by customs at all international gateways, will be removed to "Naman" customs warehouse and will be destroyed within a week after their seizure.
 
The announcement follows a request made by the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC) who argued that tobacco importers suffer heavy losses from the sale of such products by the government. 

It is understood that the issue was raised by the FICC during a meeting held last November with customs officials to discuss intellectual property rights.