Investigation into certain tobacco manufacturers and retailers regarding retail pricing practices for tobacco products
The OFT is investigating whether certain tobacco manufacturers and retailers have breached the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998.
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On 25 April 2008 the OFT issued a statement of objections alleging that the parties had engaged in unlawful practices in relation to retail prices for tobacco products in the UK, in breach of the Chapter I prohibition. See press release for further information on this statement of objections.
On 11 July 2008, the OFT announced that it had reached early resolution agreements with six of the parties, who had admitted engaging in unlawful practices in relation to retail prices for tobacco products in the UK, and had agreed to pay individual penalties which came to a combined maximum of £173.3m before discounts.
The OFT has been reviewing the representations received in response to its allegations from those parties contesting the case, as well as information submitted by parties who concluded early resolution agreements with the OFT.
The OFT is continuing its ongoing analysis of this material with a view to reaching a final decision in relation to whether or not the law has been breached in the first quarter of 2010. This timescale must be seen as indicative only rather than as a definitive timetable given the ongoing nature of the OFT's review.
See our press release on this early resolution.
Date of opening: March 2003
Team Leader: Ed Smith (020 7211 8434, ed.smith@oft.gsi.gov.uk)
Project Director: Louis Christofides (020 7211 8935, louis.christofides@oft.gsi.gov.uk)
Senior Responsible Owner: Sonya Branch (020 7211 8707, sonya.branch@oft.gsi.gov.uk)
Case reference: CE/2596-03
Back to: Goods
- OFT telephone enquiries:08457 22 44 99
- Consumer Direct telephone enquiries:08454 04 05 06