Tackling illegal tobacco requires united action across all partners.
Not only does smoking provide a significant contribution to the health inequalities gap it can lure people into a lifetime of addiction.
Smoking costs a lot of money and sometimes people may be at risk of switching their spending from basic needs such as food and shelter to tobacco. This spending behaviour can often be difficult to change because of the addictive nature of tobacco products.
Because of this people may turn to illegal products as it is often cheaper than regulated products.
The illegal trade involves a range of tobacco products that are sold illegally, often to underaged users, without paying taxes (VAT and excise duty). It provides a cheap and unregulated supply of tobacco to those who might otherwise be put off by cost.
There are three main types of illegal tobacco:
Smuggled Tobacco: Products that are brought into the UK without taxes or duties being paid. They are often sold at a fraction of the price of legal tobacco.
Counterfeit Tobacco: Fake versions of popular cigarette brands that do not meet UK regulatory standards. These products can contain harmful substances, making them even more dangerous than legal cigarettes.
"Cheap Whites": Tobacco products that are manufactured solely for illegal sale. These are often unregulated and may contain higher levels of toxic chemicals than standard cigarettes.
How to spot illegal tobacco?
Spotting illegal tobacco can be difficult, but here are a few things to look out for:
- Cheaper prices
Illegal tobacco is often a lot cheaper than legal tobacco because it doesn’t include taxes - Bright and colourful packaging
All legal tobacco is only sold in plain olive packaging. If the packaging is bright and colourful then it is most likely illegal. - Logos
Legal tobacco products won’t have any logos on them. If your packet has a logo on it then it is illegal. - Lack of health warnings
All packets should have health warnings on them. If there are no health warnings on the packet then it is illegal. - Size
Cigarettes have a minimum pack size of 20 and rolling tobacco must be sold in at least 30g pouches. If you are being sold less than 20 cigarettes or less than 30g of rolling tobacco then it is illegal.
Why Is Illegal Tobacco a Problem?
Illegal tobacco poses serious risks to your health, supports criminal activity, and promotes smoking to young people. Here’s how:
Health Risks: Illegal tobacco products are often manufactured in unregulated conditions, meaning they can contain dangerous substances like asbestos, rat droppings, or higher levels of harmful chemicals than standard tobacco. This increases the risk of health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
Encourages Youth Smoking: Cheap illegal cigarettes are more accessible to young people, particularly minors. Selling to children is a crime, but illegal tobacco traders often disregard this law, making it easier for underage individuals to start smoking.
Criminal Activity: The illegal tobacco trade can help to fund organised crime and bring criminal activity to your area.