A subsidiary of Philip Morris in Costa Rica has acquired 100% of Tabacalera Costarricense, which will maintain its operation, but will suspend the production of cigarettes in the country.
The company announced that the products that up till now have been manufactured in Costa Rica will be produced at Philip Morris International's global plants.
Up to 15% of the market in products such as cigarettes, liquor, drugs and footwear, is supplied with goods whose origins are illegal.
Added to the list of products that have traditionally been traded illegally, such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, there is an increasing tendency to smuggle medicines, shoes, clothing, and beauty and personal care products, among other things.
The Pan American Health Organization denounced the continued interference by the tobacco industry in the passing of antismoking laws in the countries of the Americas.
Washington, D.C., 31 May 2012 (PAHO/WHO) - The tobacco industry continues to interfere with tobacco control policies in the Americas and these efforts have intensified since the 2005 entry into force of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
A tax of 4 cents per cigarette has entered into force in Costa Rica, which was been passed onto consumers by the tobacco companies.
On Monday companies raised the price of a pack of cigarettes by 400 colones ($0.80), thereby passing on the tax of 20 ¢ per cigarette imposed on them under Control of Tobacco Act.
For representatives of tobacco companies, the new tax will encourage more smuggling of tobacco.
BASS Americas, owned by British American Tobacco, will concentrate in Costa Rica the majority of its financial operations of the American continent.
It is located in the province of Heredia, and plans to expand its payroll to 200 employees. From there it manage the accounting and financial operations of all the countries of America, with the exception of U.S. and Brazil.