In a piece titled “French connection: branding ban is career opportunity for Europe’s smugglers“, the free market blog Popla has mentioned me, on the topic of illicit tobacco trade in France.

“Bill Wirtz writes, in the Foundation for Economic Education, on the damage tobacco legislation has caused ordinary French society, and the havoc caused by illegal tobacco, as the illicit trade has taken hold of the country. Price hikes he claims, have forced many to turn to the black market in order to continue their pastime, causing it to boom. Earlier this year, plain packaging was introduced, a move which, evidence suggests, has next to no impact on reducing smoking but helps the smuggler and counterfeiter (while costing the French taxpayer a saucy centime to buy up deadstock). Yet French authorities simply refuse to take ownership of the situation.”

On this topic: France’s Tobacco Regulation is Propping up a Dangerous Black Market

Also on this topic: French High Court Questions Legality of EU Tobacco Laws