Illicit Trade: The Growing Crime in the UK

The Government's plans to make England a smoke-free country by 2030 will be missed. This is, in part, due to the growing rise of Illicit tobacco consumption in the UK. The 2023 KPMG Report on Illicit Cigarette Consumption in Europe notes that even though the total consumption of cigarettes in the UK declined by 1.75bn from 2022 to 2023, illicit cigarette consumption rose by 800 million in the same year. The report further shows that over 1 in 4 cigarettes in 2023 were illicit cigarettes, and £3.3 billion was lost in total tax revenue as a result of contraband and counterfeit cigarettes.

50,000+ small businesses across Great Britain are under threat from the growing illicit trade, endangering the stores that support local communities and local economies. It is clear that to protect the UK small businesses, local communities, and constituents, the illicit trade must be tackled.

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