Illegal tobacco is a big concern as it has many risks and encourages you to continue smoking. Because these products are often sold without taxes being paid it means they are significantly cheaper than legal cigarettes or rolling tobacco.
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 taxesIllegal Tobacco Poster - 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.
How You Can Help
Tackling illegal tobacco requires a community effort. Here’s how you can help:
Report Illegal Sales: If you suspect someone is selling illegal tobacco, you can report it anonymously to the Citizens Advice consumer service – 0808 223 1133.
Avoid Buying Illegal Tobacco: Choosing not to buy illegal tobacco helps reduce demand and keeps money out of the hands of criminals. It also protects your health and the health of those around you by avoiding unregulated, potentially dangerous products.
Spread the Word: Educate friends, family, and colleagues about the risks of illegal tobacco and the impact it has on the community. The more people are aware of the dangers, the harder it becomes for illegal traders to operate.