Illegal tobacco

Illegal tobacco has serious consequences for health, crime and the local community.

It is important to raise awareness of the real dangers of illegal tobacco:

• causes four times as many deaths as illegal drugs because it discourages smokers from quitting and encourages them to smoke more
• is linked to low-level and large-scale organised crime, nationally and internationally illegal tobacco goes hand-in-hand with drugs and alcohol, child exploitation, money laundering and even terrorism
• costs the taxpayer around £2 billion per year

The effects of illegal tobacco on local communities and children

Illegal tobacco brings criminals into local communities and into contact with children.

As well as being unregulated, illegal tobacco can often be bought at 'pocket money prices'.

This not only attracts young smokers but allows those who may not otherwise afford to smoke, to maintain their habit and prevent their attempts to quit.

Tab houses

The term 'tab houses' refers to properties where cut price smuggled, or even counterfeit, cigarettes and pouches or hand rolled tobacco are sold from.

Often tab houses sell illegal cigarettes to children, undermining efforts by legitimate shops to sell only to people over 18, and exposing them to all the health risks associated with smoking.

Tab houses also cause a detrimental effect on the quality of life in neighbourhoods and create a knock on effect of criminal activity.

Since illegal tobacco remains part of the range of smuggled and contraband goods traded by criminal gangs it is vital that steady, persistent pressure continues to be applied.

If you are aware of the sale of illegal tobacco in your area, please report it.