Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco Trade: Hungary's Latest Anti-Smuggling Measures

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mar.04.2024
Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco Trade: Hungary's Latest Anti-Smuggling Measures
Hungary's tax authority NAV announces crackdown on black market tobacco trade, forming task force to combat illegal activity.

According to Hungarian media outlet Kaposvarmost on March 2, the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) released a statement saying they will crack down on the black market tobacco trade.

 

The Anti-Illegal Tobacco Trade Task Force was established by NAV in the summer of 2023. As its latest initiative, on March 2nd, the task force invited market participants, national tobacco suppliers, and representatives from regulatory agencies to attend a consultation meeting.

 

During the negotiation meeting, all parties agreed to launch a "total offensive" against the black market trade, and to develop future action guidelines in the fields of communication, crime, law enforcement, and tax. The meeting also discussed the possibility of initiating legislative changes to provide a clearer legal environment for maximizing protections of fiscal revenue. At the same time, the head of the Hungarian National Prosecutor's Office reported on recent investigative progress, including the dismantling of illegal tobacco factories and successful experiences in investigating major criminal cases, emphasizing that this work is far from over.

 

In addition to cracking down on the illegal market of traditional tobacco products, they should also address the control of new tobacco products. The statement mentions that blocking the illegal procurement route of flavored e-cigarettes like Elf Bar and Poco Bar as popular consumer products is a unified mission.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Exclusive: Suspected ‘Backend Update Then Withdrawal’ Suggests Glas May Be Next FDA-Authorized E-Cigarette Brand After Juul
Exclusive: Suspected ‘Backend Update Then Withdrawal’ Suggests Glas May Be Next FDA-Authorized E-Cigarette Brand After Juul
An exclusive 2Firsts investigation found an unpublished FDA update on e-cigarette marketing authorizations that mirrors market speculation, suggesting Glas’s application may have cleared internal review, though no official confirmation has been issued.
Regulations
Dec.21
Canadian Media Investigation: BAT’s Nicotine Pouch ZONNIC Sparks Ongoing Controversy as Regulatory Gaps in Canada Come Under Scrutiny
Canadian Media Investigation: BAT’s Nicotine Pouch ZONNIC Sparks Ongoing Controversy as Regulatory Gaps in Canada Come Under Scrutiny
Canadian outlet Rebel News released a long-form video report examining Canada’s regulatory framework for nicotine pouches, market dynamics, and the approval process of ZONNIC, a product of BAT subsidiary Imperial Tobacco Canada. The report highlights issues involving youth access, regulatory gaps, black-market activity, retailer feedback, and company responses. This article summarizes key points based on the video.
Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
69% of Russians Support Full Ban on E-Cigarette Sales, SuperJob Survey Shows
69% of Russians Support Full Ban on E-Cigarette Sales, SuperJob Survey Shows
According to Gazeta.Ru, a SuperJob poll found that 69% of Russians support President Vladimir Putin’s decision to fully ban vape sales in Russia. Only 7% oppose the ban, while 15% said they are indifferent and 9% were undecided.
Nov.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Trump Signs H.R.5371: FDA to Deploy $200 Million for ENDS Enforcement
Trump Signs H.R.5371: FDA to Deploy $200 Million for ENDS Enforcement
President Donald Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R.5371) on November 12, Section 772 of Part B—the Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (S.2256)—requires the FDA to allocate no less than $200 million in tobacco user fees to enforce regulations against illegal e-cigarettes, vapes, and other ENDS products. At least $2 million of this funding supports a federal multi-agency task force targeting products originating from the China.
Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Novosibirsk Governor: Targeted Vape Restrictions More Effective Than Full Ban
Novosibirsk Governor: Targeted Vape Restrictions More Effective Than Full Ban
Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrey Travnikov said during a live Q&A session that local authorities have no plans to impose a full ban on the sale of vapes and disposable e-cigarettes. He argued that a regional ban would be ineffective and could encourage gray market activity and cross-border resale.
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EUIPO Rejects Imiracle’s Opposition to ‘Crystal’ Trademark, Citing Lack of Proof of Actual Use in Slovakia
EUIPO Rejects Imiracle’s Opposition to ‘Crystal’ Trademark, Citing Lack of Proof of Actual Use in Slovakia
The EUIPO has ruled that Imiracle failed to demonstrate actual commercial use of its “Elfbar Crystal” brand in Slovakia, and therefore rejected in full the company’s opposition to Shenzhen SKE Technology’s application to register the “Crystal” trademark. The EUIPO noted that the sales records submitted by Imiracle were limited in scope and that the product packaging was in Ukrainian, which it found insufficient to prove that the products had been placed on the Slovak market.
Dec.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai