Head of the State Revenue Service: Political decisions fuel smuggling
Baiba Šmite-Roke, Director General of the State Revenue Service, stated on Thursday at a smuggling forum that poorly considered bans on e-cigarettes contribute to the growth of illicit trade.
Baiba Šmite-Roke, the Director General of the State Revenue Service (VID), stated on Thursday, June 11, at a forum dedicated to smuggling issues that political decisions which thoughtlessly impose bans on e-cigarettes and flavored liquids are fueling the growth of smuggling.
She emphasized that such prohibitions create unintended consequences by stimulating the black market. Šmite-Roke called for a more careful assessment of the impact of regulations before strict restrictions are adopted. Participants at the forum discussed various aspects of smuggling, and the VID director's remarks sparked wide resonance.
Experts note that e-cigarette bans in many parts of the world have led to an increase in illegal trade, and Latvia is no exception. Šmite-Roke indicated that policymakers should consider these risks when developing new rules.
