Illicit tobacco discovered rife in Coventry

New research from JTI reveals the extent of problem

An undercover operation conducted by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Coventry has revealed the widespread availability of illicit tobacco and vapes in the area, with 32 stores found to be selling illegal products.

The exercise, which involved undercover operatives making multiple test purchases across the city, has revealed how prolific illicit tobacco products and vapes are in the area. Operatives found that counterfeit and contraband tobacco products were easy to get hold of, as well as illegal vapes that exceeded the legal limits in the UK.

Of the 32 stores selling illegal products, all had illicit tobacco available, whilst 13 also had illegal vapes on offer with much higher puff counts than would be achieved with the legal limit of 2ml. For example, one vape boasted of having a puff count of 25,000.

All evidence and information gathered has been made available to Trading Standards in the anticipation that it will support their efforts to enforce and prosecute anyone found to be selling illegal products.

Ian Howell

“The recent undercover operation in Coventry demonstrates the severity of the illicit trade problem in the UK right now," said Ian Howell, Public Affairs Manager at JTI UK.

“Years of escalating duties and underfunded enforcement have fuelled a black market in tobacco, with our data indicating that 30 per cent of cigarettes and nearly half of all roll your own tobacco is now non-UK duty paid.

“A very real concern is that the proposed generational ban will only exacerbate a problem which is already at risk of getting out of control. By giving illegal operators an even greater customer base over law-abiding businesses, it risks inviting further criminal activity into our communities.”

The operation revealed that the typical price for a 50g pack of counterfeit roll-your-own tobacco (RYO) was £5, with the operatives’ most expensive purchase being £7. For comparison, the recommended retail price of JTI’s lowest price 50g RYO product is £31.25.

If retailers know of a store that is selling illicit tobacco or vapes, they should report them by calling Trading Standards through the Citizen Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or contact HM Revenue & Customs’ Fraud Hotline (0800 788 887), or Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).