June 2017 Link
Quote:
Code-named Operation Henry II, it resulted in the seizure of 2.9 million cigarettes and 1,272kg of tobacco worth £919,000.
A total of 409 premises were targeted, mainly small food outlets with alcohol licences, with illegal tobacco found in 172 of them – that’s 42%. More than half of them were previous offenders.
Around £2.1billion is lost in tax to the illegal tobacco trade each year.
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Apparently counterfeit and contraband consumption was 16% just 2 years ago.
IMO licensing of sales of alcohol and tobacco should be linked. Transgress on one and you lose the license to sell the other.