A former chancellor in Germany is so worried about the possibility of the European Union banning his particular brand of cigarettes that he’s stockpiled 200 cartons in his home.
Helmut Schmidt, 94, has hoarded roughly 38,000 cigarettes, or enough for a pack a day until his 100th birthday, United Press International reported.
Mr. Schmidt attempted to keep his stash of Reyno brand menthols secret. But he was outed by a Social Democrat candidate, Peer Steinbruck, during an election campaign meeting as a sidebar to Mr. Steinbruck’s own admission that he’s got a stash of a French light bulb targeted for E.U. ban.
Both stashes are solid examples of the E.U.’s current “unbearable regulation frenzy,” Mr. Steinbruck said, according to UPI.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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