Illicit tobacco found across Nottingham during JTI undercover operation

A test purchasing operation conducted by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Nottingham has uncovered the shocking scale of the illicit tobacco and vapes market in the city.

Undercover operatives carried out multiple test purchases across Nottingham in November 2024, visiting 17 stores and finding 25 illicit tobacco and vapes. Counterfeit and contraband tobacco products were easily obtained from stores, including 50g Roll Your Own (RYO) packets from as little as £5.00, and ready-made cigarettes (RMC) from £4.00. Illegal vapes with puff counts of up to 22,000 were also discovered.

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

Ian Howellwww.asiantrader.biz

“This undercover operation in Nottingham offers up more evidence of the burgeoning illicit tobacco market in the UK," said Ian Howell, Public Affairs Manager at JTI UK. "Last year the illicit sector grew to unprecedented levels – 30 per cent of cigarette and 54 per cent of roll your own tobacco consumption now comes from illegal and other non-duty paid sources. We’re unfortunately in a position where illicit tobacco is common in every town and city across the country.

“This illegal market is causing major disruption to retailers, reducing footfall in their stores and impacting on their incomes. In addition, there are strong links between the illicit tobacco trade and organised crime.

"The fast expansion of this market has been facilitated by years of increasing tobacco duties as well as a lack of adequate budget and authority for enforcement organisations. The government needs to acknowledge the scale of the problem, and to crack down on illicit tobacco sales as a priority in 2025, rather than implementing a generational smoking ban which will simply allow the black market to flourish.”

The operation revealed that the typical price for a 50g pack of counterfeit roll your own tobacco (RYO) was £5.00, with the operatives’ most expensive purchase being £7.00. For comparison, the recommended retail price of JTI’s lowest price 50g RYO product is £36.50*.

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).

*Correct at time of test purchasing operation.