All Illicit Tobacco articles
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Products In DepthTobacco and Vapes: Taking on the illicit market
A year after the disposable vape ban, illicit trade in vapes and tobacco continues to surge, with nearly half of UK cigarettes now illicit and corner shops cited as a major source
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NewsACS launches campaign to crack down on rogue traders
The Association of Convenience Stores has launched its ‘Stop Rogue Traders’ campaign, calling for stronger sanctions and additional funding to combat illicit trade
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NewsLancashire retailer jailed for illegal tobacco and vape operation
Keyvan Manouchehri was sentenced to 20 months in prison after Trading Standards officers uncovered an illegal tobacco and vape operation at Euro Mini Market in Lancashire, with seized goods worth an estimated £74,000
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NewsAlmost half of UK cigarettes now illicit, study finds
New research has revealed that almost half of cigarettes consumed in the UK in 2025 were illicit, with organised criminal gangs increasingly using ‘front’ shops disguised as legitimate retailers to sell counterfeit and contraband products
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NewsIllegal tobacco found in 11 of 14 West Yorkshire stores
A test purchasing operation commissioned by JTI UK has revealed that illegal tobacco products were found in 11 out of the 14 independent stores selling tobacco visited in the West Yorkshire towns of Keighley and Ilkley
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NewsKent operation seizes illegal tobacco and leads to arrest
A multi-agency enforcement operation targeting shops, vape stores and other businesses in Medway has resulted in one arrest, the seizure of nearly 2kg of tobacco and 7,849 cigarettes, and the removal of four illegal items from sale
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NewsHigh street crime unit created to tackle ‘dodgy shops’
A new multi-agency task force backed by £30m in government funding will target serious organised crime gangs operating through illicit shops on UK high streets over the next three years
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NewsAlmost £18k worth of illicit tobacco and vapes seized in multi-agency operation in Hampshire
A joint partnership in Hampshire last week resulted in a huge haul of illicit tobacco and vape goods
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NewsPhilip Morris appoints new corporate affairs chief
Philip Morris Limited has announced Claire Jolly as its new senior director of corporate affairs
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News‘The illicit trade is getting worse’ - BAT’s commercial director on the UK’s tobacco market
BAT’s commercial director Tolga Kilic issues a stark warning on the illicit tobacco trade
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NewsThree Liverpool stores closed for selling illicit tobacco
Three convenience stores in Liverpool have been forced to close for three months after being found involved in the sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco, with one store receiving an extended six-month closure order.
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NewsVape industry welcomes report to tackle organised crime on the high street
The IBVTA has welcomed a new report published this week on organised crime
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NewsVPZ warns vape tax risks pushing ex-smokers back to tobacco
New survey hints many vapers could easily return to smoking post-price rise for e-liquids
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NewsFurther industry reaction to Tobacco & Vapes Bill decision
Further reaction to granting of Royal Assent for the Tobacco & Vapes Bill
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NewsTobacco & Vapes Bill gains Royal Assent
Industry reacts to news anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 can never legally be sold tobacco
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NewsOver half of Grimsby’s independent stores found selling illegal tobacco
A new operation found 61% of independent retailers it visited were selling illegal tobacco in Grimsby and Cleethorpes
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NewsBusiness costs and rising crime top of agenda for new ACS chief executive
New ACS chief executive Ed Woodall has outlined his priorities for the trade body as the convenience sector faces mounting challenges including rising costs, crime and rogue traders
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NewsTrade bodies react to BBC investigation into UK stores selling illegal drugs
Trade bodies respond to BBC investigation uncovering cannabis, cocaine and more being sold in convenience stores
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NewsIllegal vape seizures in Kent topped 170k in 2025
Kent was the county with the third highest illegal vape seizures last year
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NewsTobacco & Vapes Bill now just needs Royal Assent to become law
Yesterday saw the Tobacco & Vapes Bill return to the House of Lords for its final consideration