The National Tax and Customs Office (NAV) released statistics showing that the purchase of cigarettes has declined dramatically since the National Tobacco Shop scheme went into effect.

The figures show that 623 million cigarettes were sold in Hungary in July, down 39.3% from 1.025 billion in June – and 52.1% year-on-year.

As of July 1, just over 5,400 vendors were licensed to sell cigarettes, reducing the number of outlets to approximately 14% of the number before the state monopoly opened.

Source: www.bbj.hu