While opening Tvornica Duhana Rovinj's (TDR) tobacco factory in Kanfanar on the western Croatian peninsula of Istria, Croatian president Stjepan Mesic caused a controversy.

Commenting that the factory is "one of the most modern complexes of the kind in this part of Europe'', Mesic’s statement resulted in public criticism that he was promoting smoking. The president defended himself against the accusations, asserting that he did not promote smoking. ''But if people already smoke, I think that it is all right if they smoke Croatian products'', he was quoted.
The value of TDR's new plant in Kanfanar has been estimated at HRK one billion. The production line can process up to eight tonnes of tobacco per hour. The company plans to produce 20 billion cigarettes a year. That would be 20,000 tons of cigarettes. Last year, TDR produced 15,000 tons of cigarettes. The factory in Kanfanar is in a complex shared with the company Istragrafika, with total floor space of 45,000 square metres. (CEN)