Tobacco Products
| Published: 18th April 2008 13:56 |
The smuggling of tobacco products into the UK is a serious problem. While the statistics below are a little out of date they do however demonstrate the scale of the trade in illegal tobacco products.
• 2005 figures - thousands of tonnes of hand rolling tobacco and billions of cigarettes smuggled into the UK with massive revenue loss.
• 2003/4 figures - 54% of HM Customs seizures were counterfeit and on average 1 million fake cigarettes were seized every day nationwide.
• Losses to the economy including the Treasury estimated in excess of £2.9 billion annually.
• Estimated that 28% of cigarette consumption in UK in 2005 was of illegal material.
• UK still the most expensive in the EU for cigarettes hence the pecuniary interest in smuggling and counterfeiting.
A vast amount of money is made by serious criminals, who have no concern for the health of the nation.
Only buy tobacco products from legitimate retailers. It is against the law to buy tobacco products from street sellers, in markets or car boot sales.
If you know someone is selling tobacco products illegally contact the Customs Confidential Hotline free on 0800 59 5000.
See this information leaflet.
Information supplied by Nottinghamshire Police
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