FAQS
What is illegal tobacco and why is it a problem?
How big is the illegal tobacco problem in the UK?
What are the rules on bringing tobacco into the UK?
How can illegal tobacco be reported?
What happens if a shop sells illegal tobacco?
What should the government and public do about illegal tobacco?
1 Based on the recommended retail price of JTI’s ultra value cigarette brands as of 20 January 2025.
2 National Trading Standards. (2024, November 26). https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/millions-of-illicit-vapes-and-tobacco-products-seized-by-trading-standards/
3 National Trading Standards. (2024, November 26). https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/millions-of-illicit-vapes-and-tobacco-products-seized-by-trading-standards/
4 Border Force transparency data: Q1 2025. Border Force, May 2025
5 Statistics drawn from JTI UK’s test purchasing activity programme which was undertaken across the UK during 2024.
6 £1.7bn figure based on HMRC's tax gap estimates for Excise Duty and VAT losses 2024 - 2025. Measuring_tax_gap_online_tables_2026.xlsx (select the table for 2026 and go to table 3.4 See lines 8 and 9 combined for 2024-2025).
7 Measuring tax gaps 2026 edition: tax gap estimates for 2024 to 2025. HM Revenue & Customs
8 HM Revenue & Customs & Border Force. (2024, January 29). Stubbing out the problem: A new strategy to tackle illicit tobacco. GOV.UK. Updated March 1, 2024.
9 Measuring tax gaps 2026 edition: tax gap estimates for 2024 to 2025. HM Revenue & Customs
10 Pack Swap Survey. JTI, July 2025
11 Empty Pack Survey 2024 Q2, 2024
12 JTI analysis of Consumer trends, UK: January to March 2025. Office for National Statistics, June 2025
£1.7bn figure based on HMRC's tax gap estimates for Excise Duty and VAT losses 2022 - 2023 https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20250501185902/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps (select the table for 2024 and go to table 3.7. See lines 6 and 7 combined for 2022-2023).