JTI recently conducted test purchasing in 186 stores across the UK, with startling results. Of the stores tested, 96 were found to be selling a combination of illegal cigarettes, roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco, or vapes. Shockingly, counterfeit RYO products were available for a mere £3.50 per pack – less than a tenth of the genuine article.
This is a huge problem in the UK, as the illegal sale of tobacco and vaping products results in significant tax revenue losses. JTI is committed to combating the issue by sharing their intelligence with the authorities.
“Illegal sale of tobacco and vapes seems to be everywhere and it’s very difficult to put the genie back in the bottle,” said Ian Howell, fiscal and regulatory affairs manager at JTI. The company is taking proactive measures, including incorporating vapes into their test purchasing process.
This issue was further highlighted by a survey conducted by JTI last year, in which almost 40% of smokers reported buying non-domestic tobacco products in the last month. Although new powers are coming into effect later this year that will allow HMRC to issue on-the-spot penalties of up to £10,000 against those selling illegal tobacco, these powers will not be extended to trading standards.
Despite this setback, JTI believes that retailers can still play a crucial role in combating the illicit trade by reporting stores that are breaking the law. The company also advocates for the extension of powers to trading standards as part of the government’s Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy.
In conclusion, the prevalence of illegal tobacco and vaping products in the UK poses a significant problem that requires collaboration and proactive measures from both companies like JTI and the authorities. By working together and implementing strong measures, we can ultimately combat the issue and ensure that the sale of legitimate and safe products can prevail.