Bulgarian tourists were arrested in Greece for importing 4 packs of e-cigarettes per person, intended for personal use. They also received large fines at the border, according to the BBC.
On April 13, Liliana and her boyfriend went on vacation to Greece. “I smoke a lot, my friend also smokes – cigarettes for personal use. The customs officer told me that we have a problem and that it is not cigarettes, I was in terrible surprise,” – said Lilyana Petkova.
At the Promachon Tower, they were told that they had to go with a police escort to Serres to pay a fine of 1,536 euros per person.
“We were fingerprinted, no one told us we were arrested. I was photographed in profile and portrait as an absolute criminal. I had a panic attack, I cried at the police station,” Liliana Petkova added.
Lily was in the cell together with a Bulgarian woman arrested for the same offense – 7 packs of electronic cigarettes. A total of 7 people were arrested.
Tourists traveling to Greece should be aware that they can cross the border with only 2 packs of e-cigarettes, and not with 4 packs, as in the case of regular cigarettes.
According to EU rules, the maximum allowed is 800 cigarettes, 400 cigars, 200 cigars and 1 kg of tobacco. But it is up to the EU to decide which additional restrictions to impose, according to an EU directive.