In a crackdown that saw the seizure of nearly 40 million smuggled cigarettes in early 2024, Romanian police intensified their efforts against illegal tobacco trade. The story received significant coverage, particularly in 'News.ro,' which used EPICENTER’s Nanny State Index 2023 as a key reference to explain the broader context of Romania’s stringent tobacco taxation. The article explored how these high taxes, designed to discourage smoking, have also contributed to a growing black market for tobacco products, complicating enforcement efforts and raising questions about the effectiveness of current policies.