'There's a clear case' to cut taxes on tobacco, claims Tory MP
October 06, 2026 by dailymail.co.uk
'There's a clear case' to cut taxes on tobacco, claims Tory MP
Jack Rankin, Kemi Badenoch’s Parliamentary Private Secretary, suggested the Conservatives could consider cutting tobacco duty, although it would not be an immediate priority. He argued that high taxes fuel illicit cigarette sales and that lowering duty could increase Treasury revenue by reducing tax evasion. Rankin claimed illegal cigarettes account for between a third and half of sales, costing the Treasury £1.7–£4.7 billion. He also criticised “sin taxes” as illiberal and ineffective. Separately, Rishi Sunak’s proposed ban on tobacco purchases by people born after January 1, 2009, was enacted under Labour in April, with restrictions due to begin next year.
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
