Smuggling and the UK
Smuggled cigarettes cost the UK Treasury over £2 billion in lost revenue each year. While tobacco smuggling is an international problem this section outlines what is being done in the UK to tackle it.
HMRC Tackling Tobacco Smuggling Together (External PDF)
An integrated strategy for HM Revenue & Customs and the UK Border Agency
Essential Information 17: Tobacco Smuggling (Purchase Hard Copy £1.00)
Approximately one third of internationally traded cigarettes are eventually sold illegally with the avoidance of duty. This reduces the price, increases demand, undermines national tobacco tax policies and, as a result, harms health by increasing tobacco use.
ASH: Tobacco tax in the 2007 budget
ASH's 2007 Budget submission
Buying tobacco over the internet? (External Web Page)
New responses to new challenges: Reinforcing the tackling tobacco smuggling strategy (External Web Page)
This HM Treasury & HR Revenue & Customs document, published in March 2006, addresses the changing responses to tobacco smuggling.
HM Customs: how to spot alcohol and tobacco fraud (External Web Page)
HM Customs gives tips on how to detect suspect trade in tobacco. Ring 0800 59 5000 Customs Confidential in complete confidence if you suspect sales of smuggled tobacco.
HM Customs: a guide to tobacco duties and procedures (External Web Page)
This document outlines what goods are liable to tobacco duty and how the duty is controlled.
Latest Archived Items - access the rest of the archive here
Archived press coverage of tobacco smuggling
A collection of press coverage around tobacco smuggling issues from 1997 to 2004. Complied by ASH. Links to original article are provided where possible.
Excise Duty Fraud. House of Commons Treasury Committee. Fourth Report of Session 2004-5 (External Web Page)
A critical examination of the problem of illicit trade which includes a number of recommendations to further reduce excise fraud.
Tax and smuggling: Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs on tax, smuggling and the link between them. This document also debunks some tobacco industry myths.
