Tobacco black market 'out of control' as legal prices ramp up

A BOOMING black market in cigarettes has cost taxpayers £2billion while the amount of legally bought tobacco slumped, figures reveal.

- By Paul Jeeves Crime Editor

Data released today show the amount smuggled into Britain "is out of control".

Legal tobacco sales fell 45.5% between 2021 and 2024 but the number of smokers dropped by just 0.5%.

The Institute of Economic Affairs said it indicated a rapid growth in black market tobacco sales.

Duty rose significantly in the three years to October 2024, with the minimum excise tax on cigarettes up by 39% and duty on hand-rolling tobacco soaring 76%.

Illicit

But the tax hikes have not led to increased revenue, even though the average pack of 20 now costs more than £15.