煙草在線據Expatica.com報道編譯　　根據比利時聯邦財政部發布的數字，2012年售出的卷煙超過110億支。

　　這比2011年的卷煙銷量增加了10多億支。不過，比利時財政部希望強調，由于稅制的變化和煙草產品應納增值稅的變化，要對這些數字進行比較是十分困難的。

　　在2012年售出的卷煙大約為112億支。這比2011年100億支的銷量要高，但比2010年125億支的銷量低。比利時財政部強調，這些數字并不能準確地描述吸煙習慣，因為煙草產品的稅制和應納增值稅在2010年發生了變化。

　　抗癌基金會說，這些數字證明，聯邦衛生部的反吸煙政策是失敗的。

　　抗癌基金會的Luk Joossens對VRT說：“我們呼吁煙草價格上漲5%，超過通貨膨脹的水平。”

　　Luk Joossens先生還補充說：“相當多的荷蘭、法國和英國的吸煙者到比利時來囤積煙草，因為這里的卷煙更便宜。”

　　2012年11月，比利時聯邦政府決定將卷煙稅每包提高20歐分。盡管比利時的卷煙比其他很多歐盟國家的卷煙貴，但比利時的卷煙仍然比大多數鄰國的卷煙便宜。

　　在比利時，一包20支裝的卷煙平均比法國便宜1歐元，而比利時的吸煙者購買一包卷煙的價格，大約只有英國吸煙者購買一包卷煙價格的一半。

Belgium: Cigarette Sales up by 1 Billion

　　According to figures released by the Federal Finance Department, over 11 billion cigarettes were sold in Belgium during 2012.

　　This is up by more than a billion on the figures for 2011. However, the Finance Department is keen to stress that it is difficult to compare the figures due to changes in the system of duty and VAT payable on tobacco products.

　　Around 11.2 billion cigarettes were sold here in 2012. This is up from 10 billion in 2011, but down from 12.5 billion in 2010. The Finance Department stresses that the figures don't give a precise picture of smoking habits, as the system of duty and VAT on tobacco products was altered in 2010.

　　The Foundation Against Cancer says that the figures are proof that the Federal Health Department's anti-smoking policies are failing.

　　"We call for an above inflation price rise of 5%", the Foundation's Luk Joossens told the VRT.

　　Mr Joossens added that "Very many Dutch, French and British smokers come to Belgium to stock up as cigarettes are cheaper here."

　　Last November the Federal Government decided to raise duty on cigarettes by 20 eurocents per pack. Although cigarettes cost more in Belgium that in many other EU countries, that are still cheaper than in most neighbouring countries.

　　A pack of 20 costs an average of 1 euro less than in France and Belgian smokers pay only around half of what British smokers pay for a packet of cigarettes. Enditem