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
FTC to Approve Exxon’s $64 Billion Deal with Pioneer Resources, Excludes
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
UK Competition Watchdog Raises Alarm Over Nvidia’s ARM Takeover
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
Sen. Klobuchar Urges Regulators to Probe Collusion in Health Care Pricing
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
Multiple States Join Tennessee’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against NCAA Over NIL Rules
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
NY AG Joins Suit Challenging NCAA’s Restrictions on Student Athlete NIL Rights
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI