A major new campaign aimed at raising passenger awareness on illicit tobacco has been launched by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) and the Scottish Anti Illicit Trade Group on Monday 11th August at both Edinburgh and Glasgow airport.
The illicit tobacco market is estimated to have cost the Government £2bn in lost tax revenue in 2012/13 and unquestionably brings criminality into many local communities across Scotland. The TMA and the Scottish Anti Illicit Trade Group are committed to tackling the issue and educating passengers who may not be fully aware that bringing tobacco products into the UK and selling them on is a criminal offence.
Giles Roca, Director General of TMA, commented: “We are delighted to be working on this campaign which is designed to send a clear message that bringing back tobacco from abroad and selling it on is a criminal offence. Illegal tobacco causes untold damage to legitimate retailers who serve their local community and rely on tobacco sales to drive footfall to their stores, it is time to take a stand against this crime.”
The Non UK Duty Paid (NUKDP) market costs the Scottish economy the equivalent of £200m per annum in lost taxes and sales. That equates to over £20,000 per annum in lost sales for small shops that sell tobacco in Scotland.
