The Seizures of Cigarettes in the period of 2019-2023
Dear European Anti-Fraud Office,
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents which contain the following information:
According to the OLAF reports, international operations involving OLAF led to the seizure of 251 million cigarettes in 2019, 372 million in 2020, 430 million in 2021, 513 million in 2022 and 616 million in 2023.
Could the Commission provide more information on the name and the amount of the cigarette brands which were seized during the period 2019-2023?
Yours faithfully,
Smoke Free Partnership
Chaussée de Louvain 479 – 1030 Brussels, Belgium
Dear Mr Van Wijk,
Thank you for your e-mail of 17 February 2025. We hereby acknowledge receipt of your application for access to documents.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, your application will be handled within 15 working days after registration.
The time limit will expire on 10 March 2025. In case this time limit needs to be extended, you will be informed in due course.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[OLAF request email]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
Dear Mr Van Wijk,
We refer to your request for access to documents made on 17 February 2025, which is currently being handled.
We write to inform you that unfortunately we will not be in a position to complete the handling of your application within the time limit of 15 working days. An extended time limit is needed due to the need to consult other services.
Therefore, we need to extend the time limit with 15 working days in accordance with Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to documents.
The new time limit will expire on 31 March 2025.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[OLAF request email]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
Dear Mr Van Wijk,
Please find attached our reply to your request for public access to documents of 17 February 2025.
We apologize for the slight delay.
Thank you for acknowledging receipt of this email.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[OLAF request email]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
Dear [email address],
Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, we kindly request a more detailed explanation of the specific reasoning behind the conclusion that disclosing information on the names of cigarette brands and the corresponding quantities of seized cigarettes would undermine the protection of the commercial interests of legal entities.
Furthermore, we would appreciate clarification on the criteria and considerations applied in determining that no overriding public interest justifies the disclosure of this information. In light of the significant public health implications, we respectfully urge the Office to re-examine whether access to the requested information can be granted under the provisions of the Regulation, taking into account the principle of transparency and the public interest at stake.
Yours sincerely,
Gijs van Wijk
Dear Mr van Wijk,
Thank you for your e-mail of 17 April 2025. We hereby acknowledge receipt of your confirmatory application for access to documents.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, your application will be handled within 15 working days after registration.
The time limit will expire on 14 May 2025. In case this time limit needs to be extended, you will be informed in due course.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[OLAF request email]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
Dear Mr van Wijk,
We refer to your confirmatory application for access to documents made on 17 April 2025, which is currently being handled.
We write to inform you that unfortunately we will not be in a position to complete the handling of your application within the time limit of 15 working days. An extended time limit is needed due to the need to necessary consultations.
Therefore, we need to extend the time limit with 15 working days in accordance with Article 8(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to documents.
The new time limit will expire on 6 June 2025.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[OLAF request email]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
https://ec.europa.eu/anti-fraud/index_en
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/olaf-and...
Dear Mr Van Wijk,
Please find attached reply to your request of 17 April 2025. We apologize for the delay in replying.
Thank you for acknowledging receipt of this email.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[OLAF request email]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...