Illegal Market Exaggerated
October 28, 2026 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
Illegal Market Exaggerated
The scale of Britain's illicit cigarette market is under renewed scrutiny, with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) challenging industry-funded estimates that suggest 45% of cigarettes consumed are illegal, compared with HMRC's estimate of 12%.
ASH argues that illicit cigarette consumption has declined substantially despite rising tobacco taxes, while critics question the reliability of official figures.
The disagreement highlights the importance of transparent, independent data in tobacco policy. Effective regulation must address illicit trade while supporting smoking cessation and ensuring that adults retain access to regulated, lower-risk nicotine alternatives.
11.80% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 6.7 million current smokers in United Kingdom 13.60% of men are current smokers but only 10.10% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
