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
European Music Streaming Firms Rally Against Apple’s Proposed Remedies
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Google and South Carolina Clash Over State Records Demand
May 8, 2024 by
CPI
Telefonica Germany Teams Up with Amazon Web Services to Migrate 5G Customers
May 8, 2024 by
CPI
Federal Judge Grants $7.4 Million Settlement in Pork Price-Fixing Case
May 8, 2024 by
CPI
Wilson Sonsini Bolsters Antitrust and Competition Practice with Key Partner Returns
May 8, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Ecosystems
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Mapping Antitrust onto Digital Ecosystems
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Ecosystems and Competition Law: A Law and Political Economy Approach
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Ecosystem Theories of Harm: What is Beyond the Buzzword?
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Open Ecosystems: Benefits, Challenges, and Implications for Antitrust
May 9, 2024 by
CPI