These are the local branches of global players Philip Morris, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco and Imperial Brands. They sell Marlboro, Lucky Strike, Camel and Gauloises, among others, and control more than 90 percent of the Belgian cigarette market.
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The four manufacturers told wholesalers what prices they wanted to charge, after which they passed it on to the other three. For example, they could make their own goods more expensive in the safe knowledge that the competitors were doing the same.
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The tobacco companies still have a chance to defend themselves. If the Belgian Competition Authority (BMA) finds them guilty, they can be fined up to 10 percent of the annual turnover.
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