Only 200 cigarettes from Bulgaria is it Illegal?

Question

Bulgaria is now an EEC member but only 200 cigs allowed to bring into UK,but as much tobacco as you wish.Is this an illegal act by the IK government.

Answer 1

While the UK government may like to say that this is a transitional measure, the truth of it is that it should be illegal under article 6 of the treaty of Rome, which states without reservation or exception that there will be the free movement of people, goods and services between member states.

The truth of the matter is that the government have really no idea what to do about smoking. On one hand they have to pander to the "Nanny state " section of the party, while on the other Gordon Brown worries about the loss of taxation revenue..

This means that almost any tactic will be employed, ranging from Smokers cost the NHS £xyz per year (strange, that anyway that it was measured by independent economists, smokers ended up being net contributors), to Customs at Dover confiscating cigarettes, even though they where for personal use. And it took a couple of High Court actions for Customs to raise the limit.

While are are on the subject of transitional, I would like to point out that the original licencing laws regarding drinking where a "temporary" measure brought in in 1914, which ended up lasting for 70+ years. Also cigarettes from the first lot of countries (Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Estonia , Malta and others)which joined are still restricted to 200cigarettes.

Also as a point of interest, this restriction is not very well publisised, for example it took me about 15 minutes to find out about Hungary and the other acession countries. Also last week I was at Luton airport, (Going East to buy cigarettes at £1.60 per pack). when I noticed a couple of hugh posters telling me that cigarette smuggling was illegal, and that the Canarie Islands are not part of the EU, and that the limit is 200...Nowhere was the newly joined EU countries mentioned.

Bottom line ...What the UK are doing is illegal, and is in breach of the Treaty of Rome. What the UK are counting on is that no one will sue

Answer 2

Yes i think but English laws is traditionally different of rest of EU members.
Yo can expect everything from English laws.
I can give you advise: find some Bulgarian bus who is going to UK and tell to one of drivers and tell him how much cigarettes you need to receive in England.You have to pay some money to him and hi will help you.Everything you can bring to England by this way.

Answer 3

It does sound it. I thought the same as you in terms of numbers, ie. As many as you wish for personal consumption.

Answer 4

Nope it's transitional...
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=246465&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromSearch=True