The UK ranks third in Europe for illicit cigarette consumption, with 12 regions, including 11, seeing an increase in illicit cigarette trade, according to the survey. More than half of London shops were found to be selling illegal cigarettes and vapes, with 75% of respondents supporting tougher penalties for offenders.
Femo UK report: UK third in Europe for illicit tobacco consumption
According to a recent report by the Daily Star, Philip Morris Limited (PML) commissioned KAM to investigate the illegal market in the UK. The volume of illicit cigarette trade increased in 11 of the 12 regions compared to last year, with Scotland increasing by 20% in just one year. Growth in Northern Ireland and the South East of England was 15.9% and 14.5% respectively.
In addition, the UK ranks third out of 38 European countries as the country with the highest consumption of illegal cigarettes.
75% of shopkeepers support tougher penalties
The report shows that the cost of living dilemma is a significant factor in the problem. Half of the shopkeepers said economic hardship and the need for cheap products were driving factors for illegal use.
More than half of London shops have been caught selling illegal tobacco and vapes in raids over the past two days. The initiative was led by Will O’Reilly, the former head of Detective Scotland, who said organized crime could only be taken away by cleaning up the illegal cigarette market, the equivalent of funding more than 115,000 new police officers.
According to the survey, 52% of retailers are concerned that higher taxes on legal goods could promote the growth of the illegal market. Similarly, 44 percent are concerned that restrictive regulations on legal alternatives could inadvertently increase such activity.
Respondents also said they support efforts to combat illegal products and express this commitment by purchasing through legal channels and reporting illegal activities. Even so, 40% doubt that illegal use will decrease by 2030 (the smoke-free target for England).
Seventy percent of respondents want to see stronger enforcement, and 75 percent support harsher penalties for violators. At the same time, 71 percent want easier access to legal and affordable smoke-free alternatives such as vapes and heated cigarettes.
Duncan Cunningham, director of external affairs at the PML, warned that utilization among teenagers was of particular concern.
- “The trade in illicit cigarettes and vapes is a direct and serious threat to public health, harming poor communities and promoting youth use. As the UK is one of the largest markets for illicit cigarettes in Europe, we must strike a careful balance: protecting people, particularly young people, from harmful illegal goods and ensuring adult smokers have access to smoke-free alternatives.”
- “To truly achieve a smoke-free future, we should protect the next generation and support the 6.4 million adult smokers in the UK to become smoke-free alternatives to maintain the universality of existing alternatives.”
