Spain’s National Commission of the Markets and Competition will seek to end the monopoly enjoyed by the so-called ‘Estancos’, establishments dedicated to the sale of tobacco products, which it has declared to be a distortion of free competition.
In its report, the CNMC considers that rooted restrictions in the tobacco sector should be eliminated, through steps such as “suppressing the monopoly of the tobacco network or at least reconfiguring it in a more competitive manner”. These restrictions have been considered inadequate to protect health, while distorting the market.
In response, the Union of Estanqueros Associations of Spain criticized the regulatory agency for its “absolute ignorance”, defending the current model as being the best option for controlling the collection of tobacco-related tax income.
The CNMC also extends and modifies the regulation on the Tobacco Law, including new decisions regarding the sale and dissemination of so-called electronic cigarettes, restricting their sale and advertising and raising taxes directly on this product.
Full Content: Hispanidad
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Malaysia Introduces New Licensing Requirement for Digital Platforms
Jul 28, 2024 by
CPI
Drivers in Britain Still Overpaying for Road Fuel, UK Watchdog Reports
Jul 28, 2024 by
CPI
Six Major Banks Settle European Bond Price-Fixing Litigation
Jul 28, 2024 by
CPI
Italian Unit of Amazon Faces Second Probe for Suspected Tax Evasion
Jul 28, 2024 by
CPI
UnitedHealth Group Abandons Two Acquisitions Following Antitrust Division Scrutiny
Jul 28, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – International Trade & Antitrust
Jul 26, 2024 by
CPI
What is Wrong with the WTO Discipline on Subsidies?
Jul 26, 2024 by
CPI
The Abiding Tension Between Trade Remedy Law and Antitrust
Jul 26, 2024 by
CPI
Trade and Antitrust: An End to Isolationism
Jul 26, 2024 by
CPI
International Trade Law and Domestic Regulation of Generative Artificial Intelligence: Divergent Approaches?
Jul 26, 2024 by
CPI