Undercover investigations by JTI in the UK found that illicit tobacco was being circulated at low prices, with the cheapest pack of finished cigarettes selling for as little as £2.50. JTI stressed that eradicating the illicit tobacco market should be a top priority for the UK government.
According to Talkingretail on January 15, Japanese Tobacco International (JTI) conducted an undercover operation in Wolverhampton, England, in October 2024, and found that illegal tobacco and vapes were prevalent in the area, with 22 stores selling illegal products.
The undercover officers’ investigation revealed that the 22 stores visited were stocked with illegal tobacco, including cigarettes, hand-rolled cigarettes, and illegal vapes, some of which claimed to hold 15,000 puffs. The cheapest pack of finished cigarettes costs just £2.50.
JTI said all the evidence and information collected has been provided to Trading Standards to support the authorities’ enforcement actions and prosecutions.
Ian Howell, UK public affairs manager at JTI, commented,
- “This undercover operation in Wolverhampton is further evidence of the significant threat that illegal tobacco poses across the UK.”
- “We have conducted hundreds of test purchases over the past 12 months, and regrettably, our findings indicate that illicit tobacco is common in every major city we surveyed.” Inadequate funding and powers for law enforcement agencies, combined with years of increasing tobacco taxes, have contributed to the rapid growth of the black market.”
He fears the situation will worsen as the government pushes ahead with the proposed generational smoking ban, which will reduce footfall and profits for legal shops and increase the customer base for illegal operators. He further stressed that eradicating the illicit tobacco market should be a top priority for the government in the coming year.
JTI found that 50 grams of counterfeit hand-rolled tobacco routinely cost about £4, with the most expensive purchased by undercover officers being just £5. By comparison, the minimum suggested retail price of JTI 50g hand-rolled tobacco is £31.25.
