Postcode Tracker Screenshot (SE)

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has launched a new postcode calculator to help retailers find out how their local area is affected by illicit tobacco. 

The new feature has been added to JTI’s dedicated Don’t Be Complicit in Illicit microsite, www.jtiadvance.co.uk/DontBeComplicit, which has also been revamped as part of JTI’s fight against the illicit trade.

Retailers can find out how many seizures and/or prosecutions have taken place near a location since 2017 by simply entering a postcode area (e.g. SE, GL, WV). The results also include estimates of the quantity and total value of illegal tobacco reported.

The website also has the option to expand the search to cover the wider area (e.g. from LU Luton to East of England) to view the percentage of non-UK duty paid cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco in their region versus the UK average.

JTI’s UK anti-illicit trade manager Ian Howell said: “Illicit tobacco remains a serious problem and this new feature on our microsite is the latest development from JTI to support retailers in the fight against this issue. Our hope is that this new tool will enable retailers to remain vigilant and raise awareness of the scale of the problem in their local area.

“As well as keeping retailers informed, we are also hopeful that it will help raise awareness of illicit trade and its effects on communities across the country. We also want to encourage retailers to report any suspected sellers in their area, through the anonymous reporting function on the microsite.”