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ILLICIT TRADE, ILL INTENTIONS, ILLER CUSTOMERS: THE ILLEGAL TOBACCO/VAPE TRADE 

Recently, C-Talk had the opportunity to witness Japan Tobacco International (JTI)’s undercover operation, to see just how rife illicit tobacco actually is in Coventry. 

The undercover team visited 32 stores across the city, finding that every single one was selling illegal tobacco products.  

Additionally, 13 of these stores were also selling unauthorised vapes, some with puff counts far exceeding legal UK limits. 

The availability of these illicit products is raising concerns, especially as taxes on legal tobacco continue to rise, making black-market alternatives more attractive to consumers.  

“People travel here to get their cigarettes, don’t they?” retailer Paul Cheema of Malcolm’s Stores asked, as the operation unfolded in a local street rife with illicit sales. “People come from other parts of Coventry to get this stuff, right? Because why wouldn’t they?” 

The undercover agent agreed, “Absolutely.” 

The affordability of illegal tobacco is one of the key drivers, and this underground market is also benefiting from enforcement challenges. Local enforcement agencies, such as Trading Standards, are often underfunded, making it difficult for them to effectively tackle the issue. 

“Even I’m slightly gobsmacked by what’s been achieved over the last few days by our test purchasers,” Ian Howell, Public Affairs Manager at JTI says, as he looks over the pile of Evidence bags containing illicit trade items of all sorts. “It’s what we are seeing across the country, through our survey work, the experiences our sales forces see…it’s skyrocketed since the middle of last year. This is a big concern.” 

JTI’s findings come at a time when the government is considering stricter smoking laws, including a potential generational ban on cigarette sales to those born after a certain year.  

However, JTI warns that such measures might unintentionally boost the illicit tobacco trade, as more people could turn to illegal sources if legal products become harder to obtain.

The public health risks of illicit tobacco are another key issue. These products often do not adhere to safety regulations, meaning they can contain harmful chemicals or be packaged without proper warnings.  

Unauthorised vapes, in particular, have raised red flags due to the high puff counts, which are much higher than what is allowed under UK regulations.  

These products, often sold at a lower price, pose a serious risk to young people, who may be drawn to vaping without understanding the potential health hazards. 

With £4 bags of Amber Leaf being sold under the counter and a cheap 20,000 puff vapes with zero regulations, it may be difficult in the eyes of a consumer when to draw the line between saving a few pounds and caring about what is put in their bodies. 

“I would never in no way, in any shape or form, put my vaping customers at risk by even thinking of selling these,” when asked about her views on illicit vapes and dodgy tobacco, retailer Trudy Davies of Woosnam & Davies News was quick to show her disdain for the matter. is such a worrying trend, but not surprising.  

Illicit marketers and unresponsible stores will be encouraging the use of these vapes. It’s not right.” 

JTI has passed their findings to Trading Standards for further investigation, but the scale of the problem highlights the need for stronger enforcement and more resources to combat the growing black market.  

The investigation sheds light on the complex issue of tobacco regulation and the unintended consequences of well-meaning policies. 

While efforts to reduce smoking are crucial for public health, ensuring that legal products remain accessible is equally important to avoid pushing people toward dangerous, unregulated alternatives. 

Watch The Full Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkChDYWMWbo 

If retailers know of a store that is selling illicit tobacco or vapes, they should report them by contacting Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs’ Fraud Hotline or Crimestoppers

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