“Cheap Whites” / Genuine Non-UK Brands

HM Revenue & Customs report that over 90% of large scale cigarette seizures are comprised of counterfeit, cheap whites and genuine non-UK brands.

Cheap whites are cigarettes manufactured for the sole purpose of being smuggled into and sold illegally in another market. They usually do not pay tax in the country where they are made. In most cases cheap whites are produced in countries outside the European Union, smuggled into the UK and sold at a street price of £2.50 to £3.00 per packet.