Nearly three-quarters of UK smokers bought illicit tobacco over the past year.
Research carried out by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) found that 73% of those surveyed as part of a nationwide poll of 12,000 smokers bought tobacco in the last year that was not subject to UK tax. This is up 2% on the previous year’s figures.
The poll also found that despite branded tobacco being illegal in the UK since 2016, 58% of smokers surveyed still buy branded cigarettes and Roll Your Own tobacco, with nearly one in five only buying branded products.
The trade body said the ‘cost of living’ crisis has had a lasting impact on many consumers with nearly 4 in 10 surveyed claiming that increased living costs had impacted their purchasing habits and where they now choose to buy illicit tobacco, with online transactions becoming more common. It stated that the recent duty increase could push more smokers towards the illicit trade.
TMA director Rupert Lewis warned that despite efforts, the illicit trade has continued to grow. “The illegal tobacco market is not showing any meaningful signs of decline despite the total number of smokers in the UK consistently falling year-on-year since the 1980s,” he said. “While the TMA supports the Government’s new enforcement measures such as imposing ‘on the spot’ fines of up to £10,000 against those who deal in illicit tobacco, and the recently announced, and soon to be published, new strategy to tackle illicit tobacco – which will see those rogue retailers charged with trading illicit tobacco stripped of their licence to sell legal tobacco products – it doesn’t escape the reality that price point and accessibility remain the twin drivers which underpin the consumption of illicit tobacco.”
The TMA also highlighted confusion for those who wish to report illegal tobacco sellers appear to be confused by the proliferation of reporting lines, for example HMRC (0800 788 887), Trading Standards (through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133), Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) and a number of ‘local’ numbers set up by tobacco control groups. The TMA suggested the adoption of a single number for the reporting of illegal tobacco, with the information collated and made available to the most appropriate enforcement body.
Earlier this year, research by Forest found that two-thirds of smokers thought buying illicit tobacco was “acceptable”.
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