Over euro 115 million have been drawn in Malta since the changeover to the European single currency on January 1, the National Euro Changeover Committee said yesterday. On Saturday 73 per cent of consumers paid for their purchases in euros only.

Other statistics showed that 202,000 ATM transactions had been executed since the changeover, withdrawing some euro 26 million. A record e5.5 million were drawn on Saturday and by Sunday the commercial banks had carried out 142,000 transactions in their branches, changing e88 million in all.

The NECC said research by the European Commission showed that Saturday’s dealings proved that the Maltese were changing over at a rapid pace. On Saturday 58 per cent of Maltese reported having only euro notes in their wallets; 62 per cent had only euro coins. Shop owners were cooperating fully.

Reports were lodged on euro line 154, or by email to [email protected] that some businesses or professional people were rounding prices.

Each report was investigated as far as possible on the day it was made. Nine letters of warning have been issued.

NECC executive director Alan Camilleri said the first five cases of abuse which were reported were investigated and they had all been rectified, with prices reverting to what they were in December. They were of two doctors, a hairdresser, a outlet that sells cheesecakes and a car park. He urged the public to report cases where they noted abusive price rises.

Some cigarette brands are costing more, while others cost less. The cigarette machine prices had been decided last July in an exercise by the NECC and the cigarette company, to ensure that global company revenue would not rise. The technical reason was that the machines could not accept certain coins, so it was necessary for prices to be changed.

As for sms prices, Mr Camilleri said the process was regulated by the EU. The directives had been followed. Mobile operators have been advised to reimburse any additional revenue by means of incentive schemes.