煙草在線據《阿拉伯公報》報道編譯　　埃及衛生部煙草控制部部長Sahar Labib透露，根據最新的估計數據，埃及目前有40至50個不同品牌的非法卷煙。這是官方的數據。

　　不過，非官方數據預計，在埃及市場公開銷售的未納稅卷煙品牌超過100個，推動了埃及非法貿易市場的發展。埃及市場的非法卷煙份額顯著增長，從2011年10月占市場12.5%的驚人數字，增長到現在估計占20%的市場份額。

　　此消息令埃及政府十分擔憂，該政府仍在努力重建受到“阿拉伯之春”（譯者注：指自2010年年底在北非和西亞的阿拉伯國家和其它地區的一些國家發生的一系列以“民主”和“經濟”等為主題的反政府暴力運動。）影響的經濟。非法品牌的流入在稅收損失方面將對政府造成巨大損失。

　　促使非法卷煙品牌飆升的因素包括全國不斷惡化的安全狀況以及合法卷煙的卷煙稅多次突然大幅的上漲。

　　菲莫埃及公司的總經理Ali Takish在對這種情況發表評論時說：“這些非法走私進入埃及的未付稅卷煙，預計每年使埃及政府在稅收收入方面損失40億埃及鎊。”

　　要有效解決這個問題，政府需要對國內卷煙采取更謹慎的稅收政策、實施更有效的邊境控制措施、并加強批發商和零售商方面的執法力度。

　　Ali Takish在強調卷煙非法貿易的驚人增長速度——尤其是近幾個月的增長速度時說：“除非政府采取一項全面措施——包括立法方面和執法力度方面來打擊這種現象，不然，埃及的煙草業就會處于非常危險的境地。”

評論：

　　縱覽世界各國政府提高煙稅的目的，主要是增加稅收收入和減少煙草消費。不過，煙草稅收是一把雙刃劍，利用的好，則能達到預期的效果，如果沒有估計實施的合理條件就貿然實施的話，則可能造成沉重的損失，實施之前要“三思而后行”。從埃及提稅后的情況看，既沒有增加稅收收入，也沒有減少煙草消費，唯一的好處是促進了非法卷煙的增長。目前，面對這種局面，埃及政府應深入分析出現問題的根源，才能有針對性地采取應對措施，從而化解出現的難題，促使制訂的政策達到預期的目標。

Egypt Sees Increased Cigarette Smuggling

　　According to the latest estimates, there are currently 40 to 50 different brands of illicit cigarettes in Egypt, as revealed by Sahar Labib, Head of Egypt Health Ministry, Tobacco Control Department. This is an official figure.

　　However, unofficially it is estimated that over a hundred brands of non-tax paid cigarettes are openly sold in the Egyptian market, which is contributing to the development of the illicit trade market in Egypt. The incidence of illicit cigarettes in the Egyptian market has grown significantly from an already alarming figure of 12.5 percent of the market in October 2011 to an estimated 20 percent today.

　　The news is disturbing to the Government of Egypt which is still struggling to rebuild its economy affected by the Arab Spring. The influx of illicit brands is leading to significant losses for the government in terms of lost taxes and duties.

　　The factors that have contributed to the spike in the illegal cigarette brands include a deteriorating security situation across the country and a series of sudden and sharp taxes increases on legitimate cigarettes.

　　Commenting on the situation, Ali Takish, Managing Director of Philip Morris Egypt said;

　　'These cigarettes, which are illegally smuggled into Egypt without paying any taxes or duties, cost the Egyptian government an estimated EGP 4 billion pounds each year in lost tax revenues."

　　In the attempts to effectively address this issue, the government needs to adopt a more prudent tax policy on domestic cigarettes, implement more effective border control measures, and strengthen law enforcement at the wholesaler and retailer levels.

　　Ali Takesh highlighted the alarming growth of the illicit trade in cigarettes - particularly in the last few months, saying;

　　'Unless a comprehensive approach — including legislative and law enforcement - is adopted by the government to combat this phenomenon, the national tobacco industry remains at a great risk." Enditem