Australia’s illicit tobacco trade has hit new heights equal to 13.9% total consumption, with illicit sales having risen by almost 20% since plain packaging was introduced in 2012, a new report from KPMG has revealed.

Smuggled cigarettes (counterfeit and genuine) continue to account for the lion’s share of the market but illicit whites are becoming an increasing problem, and accounted for more than 2.3% of total cigarette consumption in 2013, the report said.

Manchester is currently the largest illicit white brand in Australia, and if it were sold legally it would have a 1.4% market share, it added.

The UK government has yet to publish its final consultation and draft regulations for plain packaging.

The eight week consultation will seek views on anything new since the last full public consultation, including the latest statistics on the UK’s own illicit trade.