Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/706995
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 JULY 2016 9 JAMES DEBONO THE Maltese are more likely to be offered illegal cigarettes from ordinary shops selling this prod- uct over the counter (38%) or from bars or restaurants (17%) than from the street as happens in most European countries. But the Maltese are also among the least likely in Europe to buy counterfeit cigarettes. 84% of the Maltese were never offered black market cigarettes in contrast to 79% of respond- ents in all 28 member states. Only 16% of Maltese report having been offered counterfeit cigarettes compared to 19% of all Europeans. Moreover the Maltese are among the least likely to smoke in Europe. Only 24% described themselves as current smokers. The survey, commissioned by the European commission, shows that respondents in Malta (38%), Sweden (24%) and Austria (22%) are the most likely to be offered this type of cigarette under the counter in an ordinary shop. Respondents in Finland (0%), Estonia (1%), and Lithuania and Germany (both 2%) are the least likely to say this. A further 17% of the Maltese (compared to 12% of all EU re- spondents) bought counterfeit cigarettes from a bar or restau- rant. Overall while 60% of Europeans (who have been offered counter- feit cigarettes) reported the of- fer being made in the street, in Greece the percentage of those offered cigarettes in the street rises to 76%. Only 33% of Maltese reported the same. On the other hand 38% of Maltese compared to 8% of Europeans reported being of- fered illegal cigarettes in an or- dinary shop. When asked what is the great- est problem resulting from coun- terfeit cigarettes, 50% of Maltese referred to the loss of tax rev- enue for the state while 28% re- ferred to the increased revenue for organised crime. In general Europeans were less concerned about state revenue (43%) and more concerned with higher rev- enue for organised crime (35%). Only 6% in Malta and Europe think that counterfeit cigarettes are the main source of revenue for organised crime. But the Maltese are among the most likely to think that the main source of revenue for organised crime is illegal drugs. Surprising- ly only 11% of Maltese and 17% of all Europeans think that pros- titution and human trafficking are the main source of revenue for organised crime. On the other hand 59% of Mal- tese and 46% of all Europeans think illegal drugs are the main source of revenue. The Bulgar- ians and Romanians were the most likely to think that prosti- tution and human trafficking are the greatest source of revenue for organised crime. Only 24% of Maltese are smoking The Maltese are among the European nationals who are the least likely to be currently smok- ing. Only 24% reported that they are currently smoking, while 20% reported smoking in the past. The Swedes were the least likely to smoke (11%) while the Greeks (38%) and the Austrians (39%) were the most likely to be currently smoking tobacco prod- ucts. The figures do not include electronic cigarette use. 56% of Maltese have never smoked compared to 49% of oth- er Europeans. The Portuguese are the most likely to have never smoked (59%). In contrast only 39% of Austrians have smoked. News Counterfeit cigarettes mostly sold from shops Survey shows only 16% of Maltese have been offered to buy cigarettes on the black market but 55% were offered illegal cigarettes from an ordinary shop or from a bar or restaurant TOP 5 % Malta 55 Austria 49 Czech Rep 41 UK 38 Spain 33 (Question asked only to respondents who previously said that they had been made such an offer) Percentage of respondents who get offered counterfeit cigarettes Prime Minister: 'Time to challenge drink-driving culture' MIRIAM DALLI THE government is expected to clamp down on what Prime Minis- ter Joseph Muscat has described as "a culture of drink-driving" as Mal- ta's roads continue to claim lives. "I am worried by the apparent in- crease in traffic accidents and I have now ordered a review of traffic fines, especially those affecting drink driv- ing and those driving under influ- ence," Muscat said, during a wide- ranging interview on Radju Malta's Ghandi Xi Nghid. Admitting that he was supportive of draconian measures to help cur- tail the increase in fatal accidents, Muscat said people must under- stand how irresponsible actions can ruin the life of a person and their relatives for good. 11 persons have been killed in traf- fic accidents since January this year. According to the National Statistics Office's quarterly review, the num- ber of reported traffic accidents in just three months reached 3,713, up by 3.9% over the comparative period in 2015. Traffic casualties increased by 29% to 467 over 2015, of which 262 involved drivers. Comparing Malta to countries with stricter law enforcement, Mus- cat said the Maltese were accus- tomed to a culture where people get behind the wheel after a wedding or a night out without giving it much thought. "This is a culture which we need to challenge and it won't be popu- lar," he said, adding that a review may be presented in the coming weeks. Transport Malta last month launched a national transport strat- egy and transport master plan for public consultation. He expressed his "disappointment" over the lack of public participation in the pro- cess, urging stakeholders and citi- zens to read the proposals and voice their opinion. The government, he said, was not excluding the possibil- ity of developing an underground system to alleviate traffic conges- tion, but said that such a project could only take place if the private sector takes the lead. Muscat said he was not a fan of alternatives given by traffic experts, who point towards a Singaporean model which sets a quota on vehi- cles and uses a lottery system to de- termine who can buy a car. "Only a totalitarian system would order people what they can or can- not buy," he said. Measures combating poverty in the pipeline Muscat also confirmed that dep- uty prime minister Louis Grech has engaged a working group which is coordinating the drafting of meas- ures to combat poverty. The meas- ures will be presented in the upcom- ing budget and are aimed at helping those most in need. The measures will be based on the proposals put forward by Caritas, with special attention expected to be given to the ever-increasing rent- al prices which are leaving several families unable to make ends meet. Muscat also urged civil society to take up the minimum wage discus- sion.