As a result, a large quantity of goods remained unsold, and 200 employees lost their jobs. The authorities took these measures in connection with a statement by the European Union that Montenegro's duty-free shops were being used as points for smuggling tobacco products. The EU representatives had demanded the closure of duty-free shops in Montenegro as early as September 2007.
According to Travel.ru, duty-free shops at Podgorica and Tivat airports and the port of Bar were allowed to continue operating.