Jaine Chisholm Caunt, the secretary-general of the TMA, said: “There is no reliable evidence that plain packaging will reduce rates of youth smoking. Smoking initiation in children is actually linked to a complex range of socio-economic factors including home life, peer pressure and truancy and exclusion from school.”

“The focus for Government, and public health policy-makers, should rightly be on reducing youth smoking and therefore on preventing children’s access to cigarettes, not on the appearance of the pack. The TMA, and its member companies, is committed to preventing under 18s from accessing cigarettes and we support a range of youth access prevention measures including Citizencard – the UK’s leading proof-of-age scheme – and the ‘No ID No Sale’ identification checking campaign.”

“We believe the Government should quash the idea of plain packaging which only serves to make counterfeiting cigarettes easier and make stock-taking and serving customers harder for legitimate retailers. To address the real issues and support genuine, tangible measures to combat youth smoking we call on the Government to:

• Support local shopkeepers in their vitally important role as gatekeepers to age-restricted products – and enforce stiff penalties against any retailers caught selling cigarettes to children.
• Ask the Home Office to recognise ‘PASS-hologrammed’ proof of age cards (such as Citizencard) as valid ID – as is the case in Scottish law.
• Clamp down on illicit sales of cigarettes in local communities and make full use of existing penalties.
• Make proxy purchasing of tobacco for under 18s illegal – as it is in Scotland, and as it is for alcohol across the UK.

The link to the consultation can be found here

Jaine Chisholm Caunt, the secretary-general of the TMA, stated: “There is no reliable evidence that plain packaging will reduce rates of youth smoking. Smoking initiation in children is actually linked to a complex range of socio-economic factors including home life, peer pressure and truancy and exclusion from school.”

“The focus for Government, and public health policy-makers, should rightly be on reducing youth smoking and therefore on preventing children’s access to cigarettes, not on the appearance of the pack. The TMA, and its member companies, is committed to preventing under 18s from accessing cigarettes and we support a range of youth access prevention measures including Citizencard – the UK’s leading proof-of-age scheme – and the ‘No ID No Sale’ identification checking campaign.”

“We believe the Government should quash the idea of plain packaging which only serves to make counterfeiting cigarettes easier and make stock-taking and serving customers harder for legitimate retailers. To address the real issues and support genuine, tangible measures to combat youth smoking we call on the Government to:

• Support local shopkeepers in their vitally important role as gatekeepers to age-restricted products – and enforce stiff penalties against any retailers caught selling cigarettes to children.
• Ask the Home Office to recognise ‘PASS-hologrammed’ proof of age cards (such as Citizencard) as valid ID – as is the case in Scottish law.
• Clamp down on illicit sales of cigarettes in local communities and make full use of existing penalties.
• Make proxy purchasing of tobacco for under 18s illegal – as it is in Scotland, and as it is for alcohol across the UK.

For more information, please contact Jaine Chisholm Caunt, Secretary-General, on 020 7544 0100

Notes to editors:

1 The identified drivers of youth smoking are entirely social; NHS data1shows correlation between smoking and smoking amongst peers and family. Other research shows that youth smoking correlates with underage alcohol and drug use, as well as truancy and exclusion from school. There have been no studies published in peer-reviewed tobacco control literature which demonstrate a link between branded packaging and youth smoking initiation.

2. Following many years of education of the health risks of smoking, youth smoking rates are at their lowest levels recorded, with less than 5% of school pupils smoking regularly (at least once a week); this is part of a sustained year-on-year decline in youth smoking rates, which have declined by more than half since mid-1990s (13% in 1996) 1. While more can be done to reduce this number still further by reducing the access of young people to tobacco products, it is clear that fewer and fewer young people are choosing to smoke.

3. The TMA supports Citizencard, the UK’s leading proof of age card scheme. Over two and a quarter million cards have been issued to young people across Britain since 1999, which serve as recognised identification for age restricted goods in shops, bars and cinemas.

4. Scotland introduced regulation criminalising the proxy purchasing of cigarettes, where adults purchase cigarettes on behalf of children in April 2011. The TMA and its members supports this legislation. Proxy purchasing was identified in NHS data as one of the most common sources of tobacco for young people in recent data2.

5. The Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association is the trade association for tobacco companies that operate in the UK. Its three current member companies are British American Tobacco UK Ltd, Gallaher Ltd (a member of the Japan Tobacco International group) and Imperial Tobacco Ltd.

Footnotes:
1 – Statistics on Smoking: England, 2011. Published by the NHS Information Centre, 19 August 2011. http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/smoking11

2 – Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2010. Published by the NHS Information Centre, 28 July 2011. http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/sdd10fullreport

“We support the government in its drive to reduce youth smoking, but research shows that youth smoking initiation is linked to a complex range of socio-economic factors including age and gender, home life, peer pressure and truancy and exclusion from school.”

“The display ban will impact significantly on the livelihoods of all retailers, with inevitably longer transaction and re-stocking times. This measure also has a potential impact on shop crime, with staff having to have their backs to their shops for longer whilst a section of our society will see this as an opportunity to steal stock or worse attack staff. What it is unlikely to deliver is a drop in youth smoking rates.”

“The TMA believes that the way to reduce youth smoking rates is through education and further restrictions on childrens’ access to cigarettes, not imposing layers of meaningless statutory measures. Selling cigarettes to children is rightly illegal – rigorous enforcement of existing laws would ensure that a minority of irresponsible retailers are stopped from selling tobacco to young people. Additionally a law to make proxy purchasing of tobacco products for under-18s illegal should be introduced – as it is for alcohol, and is already the case under Scottish law.”

Jaine concludes; “Continued efforts to combat the illegal trade in cigarettes are also essential. Recent research (1) shows that children are twice as likely as adults to buy cigarettes from illegal sellers, and no amount of regulation focused on the legal trade in tobacco will impact on this pernicious problem”

– ENDS –

For further information please contact Ben McArdle at the TMA on 020 7544 0116 or 07712 530 436

Notes to editors:

The TMA is the trade association for tobacco companies that operate in the United Kingdom. Our members are British American Tobacco UK Ltd, Gallaher Ltd (a member of the JTI Group of companies) and Imperial Tobacco Ltd. The TMA and its member companies believe that the decision to consume tobacco should be one of informed adult choice only. The TMA is opposed to youth smoking and support a range of youth access prevention initiatives to stop under-18s from accessing tobacco. These include supporting “CitizenCard” – the UK’s leading proof of age scheme, as well as “No ID, No Sale” campaign at tills.

(1) The Illicit Tobacco: North of England Study 2011

“Today’s announcement of an 8% increase in tobacco tax will do nothing to reduce the level of tobacco smuggling and crossborder shopping which cost HM Treasury up to £3.6 billion in lost tax revenue in 2009/10(1). Since the beginning of 2011, tobacco taxes have increased by at least 19% (over £1.00 on a pack of 20 cigarettes) and with household incomes falling, there is a real concern that smuggled tobacco consumption will accelerate.

According to HM Revenue & Custom’s (HMRC) latest estimates , up to £3.6bn in tax revenue – £8.5 million per day, was lost in 2009/10 to the non-UK duty paid (NUKDP) market, greater than the Metropolitan Police’s annual budget(2).

Jaine Chisholm Caunt added:

”The TMA’s member companies work extensively with Government departments in trying to tackle the illicit trade in tobacco(3) and therefore it is extremely frustrating that today’s announcement will undermine the positive steps that have been taken. The Government is also planning a consultation on plain packaging, a measure which would lead to an increased risk of further illegal tobacco as any brand can be replicated easily if they all look alike.”

- ENDS -

For further information\interviews, please contact:

Paul Stockall, Communications & Intelligence Manager
t: 020 7544 0113 m: 07545 440 700
e: pstockall@the-tma.org.uk

(1) HMRC: Measuring Tax Gaps 2011
(2) Metropolitan Police Business Plan 2009-2012
(3) HMRC & UKBA: Tackling Tobacco Smuggling – building on our success, April 2011

Notes to Editors:

1. The TMA is the trade association for tobacco companies that operate in the UK. Our members are British American Tobacco UK Ltd (www.bat.com), Gallaher Ltd (a member of the JTI Group of companies – www.jti.com), and Imperial Tobacco Ltd. (UK) (www.imperial-tobacco.com)

2. The Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy was unveiled in March 2000, with further revisions taking place in March 2006, November 2008 and April 2011

3. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) 2009/10 upper estimates(1):

4. Since 2000/1 HMRC estimate that over £40 billion in revenue has been lost because of the smuggling and crossborder shopping of tobacco products

5. Further information can be found on the TMA’s website – www.the-tma.org.uk

The TMA’s member companies are committed to placing only LIP cigarettes on the market as of 17 November 2011, and therefore are supplying wholesalers and retailers with LIP cigarettes in advance of this date.

Consumers should remember that there is no such thing as a “fire-safe” cigarette. Cigarettes are designed to be burned and any burning item presents a fire hazard. We would urge all smokers to be responsible and ensure all cigarettes are extinguished and disposed of carefully.

Queries with regard to specific brands of cigarettes should be directed to our member companies as appropriate:

BAT
Customer Helpline – Free phone number on pack

JTI
Customer Helpline – 0800 181519

ITL
Customer Helpline – Free phone number on pack

“The TMA note that the government plans to consult on plain packaging legislation next Spring. The TMA is strongly opposed to the principle
of plain packaging and expects that a balanced and transparent consultation and regulatory impact assessment will be carried out. We do
not believe any plans for plain packaging are based on any compelling evidence or sound public policy. Plain packs would likely lead to yet
further increases in the illicit trade in tobacco products by making them much easier for a counterfeiter to copy than existing branded
packs. It would become even more difficult for a consumer to differentiate between genuine and counterfeit products. If illicit trade
is to be effectively combated, the intellectual property rights of legitimate brands must be properly protected and enforced.”

- ENDS -

For further information, please contact:

Ben McArdle, Campaigns Manager
t: 020 7544 0116 m: 07712 530 436
e: bmcardle@the-tma.org.uk

There is no credible evidence that smoking has any meaningful impact on road safety. The Royal Society for the Protection of Accidents list eight substantial factors in road accident fatalities including speeding, drink driving and not wearing a seatbelt. Distraction is not listed, and certainly not distraction by smoking. http://www.rospa.com/faqs/detail.aspx?faq=298

A major study in America by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety into the causes of the already comparatively rare distraction-related accidents showed that cigarette smoking was responsible for less than 1% of distraction-related accidents, the lowest prevalence factor that was identified in the survey. http://www.accidentreconstruction.com/newsletter/apr08/distractionAAA.pdf

The magnitude of the ‘issue’ of smoking in cars is also substantially overstated. Research by the TMA into smoker habits has shown that, only 55% of adult smokers would ever smoke in a car under any circumstances and less than 8% would smoke if a child was present in the car. With national smoking prevalence at around 20%, anecdotal figures touted around by tobacco control lobbyists of over 50% of young people being exposed to smoke in cars is clearly inaccurate. To put the levels of health risk in context, a recent report by the Environmental Audit Committee in Parliament suggested that over 30000 people died in the UK due to air pollution from vehicles, industry and other environmental factors in 2008. http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environmental-audit-committee/news/air-quality-a-follow-up-report/

There is evidently scope for engagement with smokers to discourage smoking in cars with children present and reducing this rate out of consideration for others and as set out in the NHS’ ‘Take Seven Steps’ campaign. There is, however, no evidence that this is an issue that demands legislation into private space, either private homes or private vehicles, legislation that would deliver no real health benefit and be almost impossible to properly enforce.”

- ENDS -

For further information, please contact:

Ben McArdle, Campaigns Manager
t: 020 7544 0116 m: 07712 530 436
e: bmcardle@the-tma.org.uk

“The TMA and its member companies welcome the reduction in illicit tobacco volumes, as reported in the latest HMRC Measuring Tax Gaps report. Nevertheless, the fact that up to 16% of cigarettes and 50% of RYO is smuggled, losing revenue of £3.1 billion, clearly shows it is still a very serious issue.

“In addition, it should be noted that these figures refer to 2009/10, and since then tobacco taxation has increased markedly, leading to the price of cigarettes rising by as much as £1.00 per 20.

”High tobacco taxes are an acknowledged driver of this illegal trade and there is widespread concern that the increases imposed over the past 18 months will lead to a rise in this criminal activity.”

Mr Ogden added:

”As part of the Tackling Tobacco Smuggling Strategy the tobacco industry continues to work closely with HMRC , the reduction in the illegal trade is a sign that this partnership is producing results. However, this could be undermined by the Government’s tobacco tax policy which will see duty rise by a further 2% above inflation each year until 2014.”

- ENDS -

For further information\interviews, please contact:

Zöe Walker, Corporate Affairs Manager
t: 020 7544 0111 m: 07872 376748
e: zwalker@the-tma.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. The TMA is the trade association for tobacco companies that operate in the United Kingdom. Our members are British American Tobacco UK Ltd, Gallaher Ltd (a member of the JTI Group of companies) and Imperial Tobacco Ltd.

2. The Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy was unveiled in March 2000, with further revisions taking place in March 2006, November 2008 & April 2011

3. A typical pack of 20 cigarettes costs £7.09 in the UK against around £3.25 in Spain and £2.25 in Poland. The UK has the second highest cigarette taxation in the European Union, behind the Republic of Ireland

4. A 50gr pouch of handrolling tobacco costs £14.48 in the UK against £4.70 in Belgium

5. HM Revenue & Customs Measuring Tax Gaps Report 2011 revealed that up to £3.6 billion in revenue was lost through smuggling and crossborder shopping in tobacco products in 2009/10.

6. Further information can be found on the TMA’s website – www.the-tma.org.uk

Click here to find out more on the TMA’s position on smoking in public places

Since the Tackling Tobacco Smuggling (TTS) strategy was introduced in 2000 the level of tobacco smuggling has been reduced but it still poses a significant threat. According to latest available figures from HMRC, smuggling continues to account for up to 17% of cigarette and 59% of handrolling tobacco consumption, resulting in a loss of up to £3.1 billion to HM Treasury.

Christopher Ogden, Chief Executive of the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA), said:

“We very much welcome the Government’s commitment to cracking down on those who operate in the illicit tobacco market and we are pleased that the refreshed strategy acknowledges the importance of working with the TMA and its member companies.

“As part of the review we have been working with HMRC to look at ways to better understand the composition of the illicit tobacco market, the impact of taxation on consumption, intelligence sharing, communications campaigns and behavioural insight. Therefore, we welcome today’s report as it recognises our ongoing commitment and strong working relationship in this area.

”However, January’s increase in VAT and the subsequent tax hike at the Budget, has led to cigarette prices increasing by as much as 66 pence for a pack of 20 (87 pence on a 25gr of handrolling) and this will only incentivise smokers to seek cheaper illicit products and provide a greater profit motive for organised criminals to smuggle.

“The illicit tobacco market will continue to provide significant challenges but we look forward to a stronger working relationship with Government and law enforcement agencies in addressing this problem.”

- ENDS -

For further information\interviews, please contact:

Paul Stockall, Tax & Information Manager
t: 020 7544 0113 m: 07545 440700
e: pstockall@the-tma.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. The TMA is the trade association for tobacco companies that operate in the UK. Our members are British American Tobacco UK Ltd (www.bat.com), Gallaher Ltd (a member of the JTI Group of companies – www.jti.com), and Imperial Tobacco Ltd. (UK) (www.imperial-tobacco.com).

2. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2006 between the TMA’s member companies and HM Revenue & Customs create a comprehensive framework for co-operation aimed at combating the smuggling of both genuine and counterfeit tobacco products into the UK as well as seeking to deter all aspects of the illicit trade in tobacco products.

To supplement the MoU, key elements of the agreement have been enshrined in legislation (The Tobacco Products Duty Act 1979, as amended by the Finance Act 2006) so that any tobacco company, operating anywhere in the world, is under the same obligations as the TMA’s member companies to ensure that it does not allow its products to be smuggled.

The refreshed Tackling Tobacco Smuggling Strategy provides for agreement in principle to an update of the MoUs which will be announced in due course

3. A typical pack of 20 cigarettes costs £6.95 in the UK against around £3.15 in Spain and £2.25 in Poland.

4. The UK has the second highest cigarette taxation in the European Union, behind the Republic of Ireland.

5. HM Revenue & Customs Measuring Tax Gaps Report 2010 revealed that up to £3.8 billion in revenue was lost through smuggling and crossborder shopping in tobacco products in 2008/09.

6. Since 2000/1 HMRC estimate that over £40 billion in revenue has been lost because of smuggling and crossborder shopping.

7. Further information can be found on the TMA’s website – www.the-tma.org.uk.