A major undercover investigation published today (June 3) has highlighted the scale of the illicit tobacco and vape trade on Britain's high streets, raising fresh concerns about the impact on legitimate convenience retailers already grappling with rising costs and intense competition.
The investigation, published by The Telegraph, found that numerous stores in Greater Manchester were openly selling illegal cigarettes and disposable vapes at heavily discounted prices, with counterfeit and smuggled tobacco products available for as little as £3.50 to £7 per pack.
According to figures cited by the newspaper, illicit cigarettes now account for around a third of all cigarettes sold in the UK, up sharply from 18 per cent four years ago. The growing black market is estimated to be costing the Treasury billions in lost tax revenue annually.
The Telegraph accompanied a team of former undercover police officers working to identify stores selling illegal tobacco and vapes. Will O’Reilly, a former Scotland Yard detective chief inspector employed to investigate the trade, was leading the team.
The investigators found counterfeit cigarettes, smuggled foreign-market products and banned disposable vapes being sold across multiple premises, often hidden behind counters, in back rooms or in nearby storage locations.
The illegal merchandise sold to the team includes a disposable Banana Ice vape for £10, a Marlboro Touch at £7, a £5 pack of Queen Menthol cigarettes, produced by the Grodno Tobacco Factory in Belarus for domestic Eastern European markets. All flavoured tobacco products are banned in the UK.
O’Reilly and his undercover team are paid by Philip Morris, the tobacco giant, to investigate the trade, visiting high street stores to buy the illicit products, identify and bag them up to a standard that could be used in a prosecution, then hand over the evidence to trading standards officers.
The investigation also highlighted concerns that some stores may be operating primarily as fronts for illegal tobacco sales, diverting customers away from legitimate retailers who comply with UK regulations and duty requirements.
The Government has recently announced plans for a £30 million high street enforcement initiative targeting businesses suspected of involvement in organised criminal activity, including illicit tobacco and vape sales. The programme will involve additional police officers, increased National Crime Agency resources and enhanced support for trading standards teams.