ACS

ACS has welcomed to the publication of a revised Tackling Tobacco Smuggling Strategy. The strategy outlines the reorganisation of enforcement against smugglers between the UK Border Agency and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. It does not however commit significant new funding for enforcement nor does it set new targets for reducing the market share of illegal tobacco.

ACS Public Affairs Director Shane Brennan said: “Government has a strong track record of detecting illegal imports of tobacco at the Border. However they are seeking to hold back a tide of smuggled imports that is meeting growing demand throughout the UK. We have argued for some time that there is a pressing need for a concerted focus on inland detection and enforcement, we are glad that the Government finally agrees.”

“The creation of new HMRC inland enforcement teams is absolutely right. These dedicated teams will put never before seen focus on understanding and preventing the spread of the illegal trade in communities. However these teams need sufficient resources and need to take on a large workload.

“It is unclear that this will be the case – it will be insufficient and ultimately unsuccessful if these teams are limited through strategy or resources to working only in tackling large scale networks. It will also be ineffective if focused solely on detecting the sale of Non Duty Paid products in retail outlets. These new teams have to oversee a zero tolerance, street level enforcement campaign that stamps out this unscrupulous trade.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Michael Saxton/ Grappa PR
Julie Kirby 020 7602 9222

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
2. The Government published the revised illicit market share estimates alongside the Pre-Budget Report. Official figures show that illicit market share has been reduced to 13%, in line with Government targets.

3. The Strategy reports that there has been a 62% decrease in seizure of tobacco inland, despite overall seizure rates remaining constant

4. By the 31 March 2009 HMRC will have set up nine regional inland enforcement teams to focus on tackling the sale of inland illicit tobacco sales. These teams will look at retailers who sell illicit products. However it will also look low level illicit trade such as car boot sellers/ white van men since they are unregulated and could be supplying tobacco to children.

5. There will also be a communication campaign around illicit and smuggled tobacco at community level to reduce demand

6. ACS called for a more action in tackling the illicit trade in our response to the Future of Tobacco Control consultation. For a copy of the response please contact Jenny Brown on 01252 515001 or jenny.brown@Acs.org.uk

7. A survey undertaken by Action on Smoking Health (ASH) found that 1 in 5 among ‘poorer’ smokers and 1 in 3 younger smokers (16-24) buy smuggled tobacco. http://www.ash.org.uk/ash_1spmepp7.htm