Embargo:  00.01Wednesday 13 June 2001

CheapCigarettes on the net? Don't bank on it.

Websitesclaiming to offer cigarettes at duty free prices don't live up to theirpromises, and often take credit card details without delivering anything inreturn, according a new survey out today. This survey, conducted by ASH, showedthat most internet sites claiming to offer smokers cigarettes at less than halfthe UK price either ended up costing much more than promised, or neverdelivered any cigarettes at all. ASH placed orders at 12 websites advertisingcheap cigarettes to customers in the UK. Of the 12 orders, only three shipmentsof cigarettes were received, and for one of these, the true cost of theshipment (with postage costs and import duty) was double the price quoted andactually no cheaper than buying the cigarettes at a local newsagent. A furtherorder was processed and money was taken, but no cigarettes were ever shipped.The other eight sites took details from the ASH credit card, but didn't ship anycigarettes. This has sparked concerns about credit card fraud.

JohnConnolly, Public Affairs Manager at ASH, said

“It'sworrying that eight of these websites have taken credit card details and notgiven anything in return. Smokers are giving these details to someonethey don't know who then acts suspiciously by not sending the cigarettes. This could just be a device for collecting credit card numbers for use in fraudlater.  We are monitoring our credit card bills for signs of irregularpayments.

“Thissurvey shows that websites claiming to offer cheap cigarettes just can't betrusted.  Some of the claims made bythese websites seem too good to be true ­ cigarettes at less than half the UKprice. Smokers will get a nasty surprise if they try to hold the websites tothese claims. Most orders just never arrive, other sites take your money butdon't deliver. Even if by some miracle you do receive your cigarettes, theymight end up costing double what you'd thought. “

“Ouradvice to smokers is to steer clear of these sites. If you want to save moneyon cigarettes, the best way to do it is by quitting. A 20 a day smoker willsave over £1500 a year by giving up, and now you can even get gum and patchesto help you on the NHS.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

[1] The full text of the ASH survey is available on the ASHwebsite at www.ash.org.uk//html/advspo/html/internetsales.html

[2] Customs and Excise rules governing internet cigarettesales are available at www.hmce.gov.uk/public/info/a-tnel.htm

Contacts:

John Connolly, ASH  020 7739 5902 (office)  or 02077354327 (Home)

Clive Bates, ASH.   020 7739 5902  or 077 6879 1237 (mobile)

ISDN available