Retailers have warned that the rising cost of living will lead to an increase in the illicit tobacco trade.
According to research by Philip Morris Limited and compiled by KAM, more than half (51%) of responding convenience stores said they felt concerned that the current economic climate will increase the consumption of cheap, illicit cigarettes.
Figures released last year in a report by KPMG, and commissioned by Philip Morris International (PMI), found that close to one-in-five cigarettes consumed in the UK in 2021 were illicit – up to almost one-in-three in some areas, such as the North East of England. This rise was fuelled by counterfeit cigarettes, growing 34.1% in 2021, making them the most prevalent form of illicit cigarette in the UK.
When asked if greater access to, and awareness of, affordable smoke-free alternatives would help reduce any potential increase in the consumption of illicit cigarettes, four out of ten retailers surveyed said that it would. In response to the rising cost-of-living, 46% of retailers also plan on expanding their smoke-free product range to offer adult smokers more affordable alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn products, and nicotine pouches.
Will O’Reilly, a former Detective Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard and a consultant on the illicit trade of tobacco and other nicotine products for PML, said: “The concerns of UK convenience retailers on the potential increase in illicit tobacco consumption are certainly justified, given the current cost-of-living crisis and the fact that criminal networks have a history of exploiting financial vulnerability.
“In recent years, the black market has evolved rapidly – moving beyond tobacco to include other nicotine-containing products, particularly illegal disposable vaping devices. This is another key concern for those retailers operating on the right side of the law and committed to giving their adult customers access to quality, compliant and trust-worthy smoke-free alternatives.”
Kate O’Dowd, head of commercial planning at PML in the UK and Ireland, advised retailers to only stock products from reputable sources. “Dealing directly with legitimate manufacturers with a solid track-record in the responsible commercialisation of smoke-free products would be my advice to retailers concerned at the proliferation of illicit tobacco and nicotine-containing products in the UK.
“PMI has invested US$10.5bn in the research and development of science-based, smoke-free product and apply scientific methods - inspired by the pharmaceutical industry - to ensure every product adheres to the highest manufacturing standards and strict quality control measures. This approach extends to our expanding multi-category portfolio of smoke-free products in the UK, which includes IQOS – the UK’s number one heat-not-burn product – and VEEBA, a premium and recyclable disposable e-vapour device that strives for excellence in design, quality, and compliance.”
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