Illegal import of cigarettes remains a concern for the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services.
These illegal products are sometimes sold at local markets as well says the FRCS.
Deputy Director Revenue Management, Jonetani Vuto made the comments during his submission to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on the WHO protocol to eliminate illicit trade tobacco.
Vuto says at times these illegally imported goods slip through their hands as people are getting smarter with their tactics.
“The illegal import of cigarettes is still there. We have foreign nationals that are coming to undertake projects but how many of these foreign nationals are smoking the Fiji cigarettes so it is for us to look at our indicators. It’s either they arrive into the country but question is how long can that last. It can be supplied by fishing vessels that are coming.”
Meanwhile, the FRCS in its also called for the review of the agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
