Tracking Codes for Cigarettes

The tracking code project for cigarettes will be implemented in the next two months, the head of Tobacco Planning and Supervision Center said.

Ali Asghar Ramzi added that the project is in its final stages and if the software systems of all the bodies involved are connected, cigarettes will be sold with tracking code labels, IRNA reported.

The official noted that this will help track the origin of products and contraband products can be identified and confiscated more easily.

He estimates that close to 3.1 billion cigarettes were smuggled into the country during the nine months to Dec. 21, indicating a 39% decline compared with the corresponding period of last year.

Production stood at more than 35.02 billion cigarettes during the same period, registering a 12.6% increase year-on-year.

Imports topped 2.02 billion, showing a 44.7% fall YOY.

Last year, some 45 billion cigarettes were produced in Iran. Plans are to increase this figure to 50 million by the end of the current year (March 20).

According to Ramzi, domestic cigarette production meets 92% of domestic demand and Iranians annually consume close to 55 billion cigarettes.