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.
Of the 11 shops found to be selling illegal tobacco this year, seven (64%) had also sold illegal tobacco during previous exercises in 2023, including one shop that has since rebranded. These findings suggest enforcement in the region is not deterring independent shops from selling illegal goods and committing criminal offences.
Among the illicit products bought were counterfeit pouches of Amber Leaf which were retrieved from under the counter or in the back room, at a price of £4 each compared to the £27.95 recommended retail price of a legal 30g pouch of Amber Leaf.
On one occasion during the visits, illicit tobacco was recovered from a neighbouring store and, on another, from a car parked in the nearby supermarket carpark. All evidence gathered from the test purchases will be handed to Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs.
New polling commissioned by the It Costs More Than You Think campaign found that 85% of people surveyed in Keighley, Ilkley and surrounding areas believe politicians are not doing enough to tackle illegal tobacco trading. Three-in-five (60%) people surveyed were also very concerned by the impact of local businesses struggling to compete with illegal sellers due to the illegal tobacco trade.
Reports from HMRC and the National Crime Agency have found evidence that the high streets’ illicit tobacco trade is linked with serious criminal enterprises such as drug smuggling and human trafficking.
“It’s incredibly frustrating to see the same shops consistently breaking the law with seemingly no lasting consequences,” said Dale Stacey, communications manager at JTI UK. “Tackling illegal tobacco is one of JTI’s top priorities, but the results from Keighley and Ilkley demonstrate why this problem remains present - many stores are getting away with it, year after year.
“This persistent issue raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current enforcement measures and the penalties in place to deter criminal activity. That’s why we’re continuing to develop our It Costs More Than You Think campaign, raising awareness of the dangers of illicit tobacco with consumers and retailers.”
Looking ahead, four out of five (81%) people surveyed in Keighley, Ilkley and surrounding areas believe the increase on tobacco taxes will increase the demand for illegal tobacco.
From 1 October 2026, smokers will face a double duty increase, with the usual annual RPI plus 2% tobacco uplift applied alongside a one-off additional rise on cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco, introduced with the new vaping products duty.
Government figures show the one-off increase alone will add £1.21 to a pack of 20 cigarettes and £2.54 to a 30g pouch, creating a sharp price rise that risks pushing more consumers towards the black market.
The It Costs More Than You Think Campaign can be viewed here: https://www.itcostsmorethanyouthink.co.uk - the dedicated retailer page outlines the risks of selling illegal tobacco, alongside helpful tips on how to spot illegal tobacco products and report stores selling illegal goods.
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