Sales of tobacco undergo a revolution in Hungary this week – but many opponents allege the whole scheme is a corrupt ploy to reward supporters of the governing party.
A pirate flag flies from the town hall in Szekszard, a medium-sized Hungarian town, best known for its strong, ruby-red wines. The flag, like those at the entrance to the town, was made and hoisted by shop-owner Robert Forenszky, in protest against the new tobacco concession law.
Five thousand new tobacconists open their doors in Hungary this week, a drastic reduction on the 42,000 outlets previously allowed to sell tobacco products, in the biggest ever shake-up of the Hungarian retail cigarette trade.
The right-wing Fidesz government says the move is the latest blow in its battle against youth smoking – following the banning of smoking in bars and restaurants in 2011.
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