Tobacco Smuggling

Anti-counterfeit technology

Since 1st October 2007 all cigarette packs manufactured by the TMA’s member companies (British American Tobacco, Gallaher Ltd, Imperial Tobacco Ltd) and Philip Morris International for the UK duty paid market bear a covert security feature which allow HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) & Trading Standards to instantly verify product on retailers’ shelves.

Don’t be tempted

The don’t be tempted poster issued to retailers in the UK by the TMA and the Tobacco Retailers Alliance to warn consumers not to purchase smuggled tobacco products. The latest version was distributed in July 2011.

A Welsh language version of the don’t be tempted poster was issued to retailers in the UK by the TMA and the Tobacco Retailers Alliance to warn consumers not to purchase smuggled tobacco products.

Stammtisch

The German word Stammtisch means a regular gathering or meeting place. The German traffic police regularly arrange a truckers’ surgery to give truck drivers the opportunity to speak directly to the police in confidence on a range of issues that directly affect them. The popularity of Stammtisch is such, that, it now operates within the UK. The TMA has provided sponsored air fresheners to lorry drivers in the UK in order to raise awareness of the issue of tobacco smuggling

Illicit Whites

These products have been appearing in increasing numbers across the UK. There is often little or no legitimate market for these brands anywhere in the world. Effectively, Illicit Whites are produced for smugglers. Some examples:

Seizures

These are just some of the ways in which smugglers have tried to conceal illegally imported tobacco. In 2007/08 HMRC seized around 1.8 billion cigarettes, equivalent to 4.9 million per day.

Toilet Roll

Timber

Apples

Punch Bags

Frozen Pizza

Concrete Beams

Pipes

Pasta

Mushrooms

Bed Towels

Dish Ware

Shoes

Bananas

lettuce

Plastic Toys

Garden Ornaments

Masonry Tools