TOBACCO 93 



restrictions, and its cultivation has been entirely aban- 

 doned " (Reports, pt. ii. (1896), P. Gennadius). 



The quantity grown before the occupation appears 

 to have been very fluctuating and to have averaged 

 about 56,000 Ib. annually, and the Government revenue, 

 according to British Consular reports, would not have 

 been more than 300 to 400 per annum. The Regie was 

 introduced in 1874, but owing to the hampering restric- 

 tions the industry had been pretty well crushed out by 

 the time of British occupation in 1878. Meanwhile the 

 revenue from tobacco, imported mainly from Volo and 

 Salonica, increased greatly. 



The monopoly ceased at the British occupation, but 

 the regulations and imposts remained. Those responsible 

 for controlling the industry, collecting dues, and checking 

 illicit consumption had a troublesome task, while on the 

 other hand the cultivator became averse to engaging in a 

 cultivation which was hedged round with so many restric- 

 tions and formalities. 



These exist at the present time and may here be 

 quoted : 



The grower has to notify the Customs authorities of his 

 intention to sow, giving the locality and area. Before 

 picking he must again notify the Customs, so that a Customs 

 officer may be present at the picking and weigh the freshly 

 picked leaves. After storing, but before delivering the 

 tobacco to the factory, the Customs officer must again 

 weigh the now dry leaves. 



The excise duties leviable are : Tobacco leaf, 4%cp. 

 per oke, payable on transfer of leaf from grower to whole- 

 sale dealer. Tobacco manufactured in Cyprus, whether 

 made into cigarettes or otherwise, in addition to the import 

 duty or transport duty, pays a banderolle duty of 35. 6%cp. 

 per oke. 



These regulations are a relic of the Turkish times, as in 

 those days the State received a definite due called " City 

 Toll " by charging the tobacco cutters and tobacco sellers 

 with a trade tax. They appear to have been administered 

 with more laxity in Turkish than in post-occupation 

 times, and it is said that the abandonment of tobacco 

 cultivation was mainly due to the severity with which 



