Hungary's move to drastically restrict the number of outlets selling tobacco caused an uproar, with critics saying the government has restricted access to information about the way tobacco licenses were distributed.

Hungary has made tobacco retailing a state monopoly and granted 20-year concessions to run tobacco shops for a flat fee to individuals selected mostly on the basis of the applicants’ business plan. Exact criteria for judging the business plans haven’t been made public.

Critics of the Fidesz-led government’s measure claim the move has reshaped the market in a way that helps the government, which is facing parliamentary elections next year, by favoring Fidesz-friendly individuals and companies. Several of the critics, including some of the opposition parties, have challenged the measure in court.

But criticism also came from within the ruling party. Akos Hadhazy, a Fidesz-party representative in a countryside local council, said the license tender was biased and that the Fidesz representatives of the municipality of south Hungary's town of Szekszard were told to choose Fidesz party-affiliated winners from among the bidders.

Fidesz communication on policy steps has so far been firmly unified.