Fake Duty Free in Hurghada

tomtontom

Caz3121 wrote: »

What proof do you have that they are fake?
I am a smoker and a traveller and although always buy the same brand they are very different depending where they are bought. Those bought in some European countries are fairly similar to those bought in the UK, the ones bought in the US or Far East tend to be very different (seem much stronger/harsher) You can compare the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide figures on the side of the packet and see the differences depending on where bought
so "the aroma and taste are obviously wrong" may just be that "the aroma and taste are obviously different to the same brand bought in the UK"

Ah but the OP has been travelling for many years and clearly knows more than the rest of us

OP for your reference I am a smoker and am all too aware of how cigarettes can differ between regions. Unless you are aware of how the cigarettes in that region should be, you have no grounds to say those you purchased are fake.

Pincher

tomtontom wrote: »

Ah but the OP has been travelling for many years and clearly knows more than the rest of us

OP for your reference I am a smoker and am all too aware of how cigarettes can differ between regions. Unless you are aware of how the cigarettes in that region should be, you have no grounds to say those you purchased are fake.

With attitude like that, all the fake cigarettes circulating in the UK are obviously just the imagination of the Customs and Excise people. It's pretty obvious when you puff a dud one.

mick_vandick

They absolutely more than likely are fakes, much like the Converse and everything else in the market section of Hurghada airport. This is Egypt though and there won't be regulations like in the UK with selling things like this. There are 2 places i know of to get real cigs in that airport - the official Duty Free shop which is just through near where the food area and gates are and one that also sells real cigs that is just 15m away from this, a round shop before the main market area. At the proper one they are rude and don't take card payments just to warn anyone going soon.
However the good news is that the new terminal at Hurghada airport has just opened and things should be much improved in there.

The actual resort I stayed at was top notch, but then it's a German hotel chain. The minute you step outside the sanctuary of the resort, it's consumer hell. And yet, there are people I know who go to Egypt year after year, so maybe I just need to get wise.

I'm guessing you stayed at the Steigenberger? Maybe next time have a look at the resorts of El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh as these are more European in feel and not so in your face as central Hurghada.

Pincher

mick_vandick wrote: »

I'm guessing you stayed at the Steigenberger? Maybe next time have a look at the resorts of El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh as these are more European in feel and not so in your face as central Hurghada.

No, I was in Soma Bay, Hotel Kempinski.


Thanks for clarifying the situation, it sounds like what I was expecting.


I was avoiding Cairo this time, due to the unrest.
No doubt I will check out Giza, and take a cruise Luxor to Aswan, at some point in the future.

Murphy_The_Cat

mick_vandick wrote: »

I'm guessing you stayed at the Steigenberger? Maybe next time have a look at the resorts of El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh as these are more European in feel and not so in your face as central Hurghada.

another recommendation for El Gouna from me :beer: