It takes a whole lot more than being a director at a pizza and mqaret kiosk to work out the potential value of a particular segment of the tobacco market.

And that’s assuming you were capable of identifying it in the first place.

If Sweedish Match’s turnover is in fact EUR1 billion then they surely could afford it (see comment above).

I disagree. I don’t think it takes much to know how big the tobacco market is and actually if you calculate how much money could be made from the lifting of the ban you will find that EUR60m works out as a good investment (had it not been illegal).

The mistake is not in the amount but in asking that amount from one company which probably could not afford it. I’m not trying to excuse anyone however.

I came across an article that snus almost scuppered Sweden’s entry to the EU, and then they obtained a derogation.

Swedish Match turnover is Eur 1 billion, without access to the rest of the EU. Can you imagine the effects on the company if the ban is repealed?

Did John Dalli ever deny his association with Silvio Zammit?

“Strongly denying all allegations” does not necessarily mean that one is entirely innocent in the matter, but rather that one is trying to cover up one’s own arse.

He might as well bring a case against the woman who gave birth to him claiming she’s not his mother.

He then asked for help building his farm on Farmville.

[Daphne – I agree with you, Edgar. A friend and I were talking about that only yesterday: that it wasn’t Zammit who worked out the numbers.]