Andorra
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This article is part of the Tobacco portal on Sourcewatch funded from 2006 - 2009 by the American Legacy Foundation. |
Andorra is a tiny country with a of population 74,000, located in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. Since the 1200s, it has been a co-principality, that is to say, it is ruled by two heads of state - the president of France and a Bishop of a nearby town in Spain. The power of these two leaders has been diminished since the 1993 adoption of a democratic constitution. Tourism and banking are important industries, helped by tax-free shopping for tourists and a tax-haven status for bankers. [1] [2]
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Tobacco industry involvement in Andorra
Action on Smoking and Health, UK writes in january, 2000 report that, "For a time, Andorra was used by British manufacturers Gallaher and Imperial Tobacco in a manner similar to British American Tobacco's [smuggling] operations in Aruba ... As a result of this distribution network, UK tobacco exports to Andorra rose from 13 million cigarettes in 1993 to 1,520 million in 1997 - vastly more than the Andorran population of 63,000 could conceivably consume. In Aruba (and Andorra), BAT exercised control on illegal distribution channels indirectly, through intermediaries. The operations consisted of
- Adopting an approach to business planning and sales target setting which treats the various routes for smuggling as near-normal distribution channels which are under the same sort of control as legitimate channels;
- Deliberately establishing business relations with intermediaries that directly or indirectly supply smugglers and directing these companies so as to gain share in the illegal markets;
- Controlling the price and availability of products through these channels and so influencing end-market conditions;
- Building warehouses and stationing marketing personnel close to borders with poor customs controls;[3]
Leaders
- Albert Pintat, Prime minister, centre-right Liberal Party, since April 2005
- Joan Enric Vives i Sicilia, Bishop of Urgel, Spain - Co-head of state
- Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France - Co-head of state
Resources
References
- ↑ Andorra, National Geographic, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ Country profile: Andorra, BBC, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ Action on Smoking and Health More Evidence of BAT's Involvement in Cigarette Smuggling Press release. January 16, 2000. Bates No. 325053835-325053837
External resources
- Timeline: Andorra, BBC, accessed January 2008.
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This article is part of the Tobacco portal on Sourcewatch funded from 2006 - 2009 by the American Legacy Foundation. |
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