The Competition Council has fined three companies in the tobacco market a total of 135.2 million lei

The Competition Council of Romania imposed total fines of 135.2 million lei (26.6 million euros) on three companies in the tobacco sector, involved in anti-competitive agreements in the heated tobacco products market. Philip Morris Trading SRL, Interbrands Orbico SRL, and Mediaposte Hit Mail SA were sanctioned for fixing the resale prices of IQOS products. The investigation revealed that these companies set the prices and discounts applied in promotions, thus restricting the freedom of trading partners to set their own prices, ultimately affecting consumers.

Philip Morris received the largest fine, amounting to 78.69 million lei, followed by Interbrands Orbico with 52.12 million lei and Mediaposte Hit Mail with 4.45 million lei. Interbrands Orbico acknowledged the violation of the law and benefited from a reduction in the fine. The decisions of the Competition Council are enforceable and the fines contribute to the state budget.