
According to a report by Fnanznachrichten, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has released a study stating that at least nine local councils in the United Kingdom have failed to investigate any illegal or counterfeit tobacco between 2018 and 2022, and there have been no prosecutions either.
During the past five years, a number of parliamentary councils including Rochdale, Harvelin, and Kingston upon Thames have opted for inaction, while councils in cities like Hull have conducted 249 investigations and prosecuted 53 criminal cases during the same period.
Information freedom requests sent by JTI to 96 parliamentary bodies in England and Wales reveal significant disparities in the approaches taken by local councils.
JTI argues that the lack of action by these committees will undoubtedly lead to an increase in illegal tobacco sales, which are often linked to organized crime, causing harm to local communities and resulting in a significant tobacco tax gap. According to estimates by HMRC, this gap represents the difference between the amount of tax theoretically due to HMRC and the actual amount of tax paid.
Since 2018, a total of £9.3 billion in tax revenues has been lost as a result of this. In the fiscal year 2021-22 alone, the tax shortfall has reached £2.2 billion.
According to the Police Federation, £2.2 billion could cover the costs of over 77,000 new police officers.
Sarah Connor, the Communications Director of JTI UK, has expressed concerns over the inadequate enforcement of existing laws by certain parliamentary bodies, raising doubts about their ability and competence to enforce more complex generational bans. Illicit tobacco has already become a significant problem, and the implementation of generational bans might push adult smokers towards purchasing cigarettes, thereby exacerbating the issue.
Notice
1. This article is provided exclusively for professional research purposes related to industry, technology and policy. Any reference to brands or products is made solely for the purpose of objective description and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any brand or product.
2. The use of nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, is associated with significant health risks. Users are required to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is strictly restricted from being accessed or viewed by individuals under the legal age.
Copyright
This article is either an original work by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with the original source clearly indicated. The copyright and usage rights of this article belong to 2Firsts or the original source. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other unauthorized use of this article by any entity or individual is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally responsible. For copyright-related matters, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have utilized AI to enhance translation and editing efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, errors may occur. Readers are advised to refer to the sources provided for more accurate information.
This article should not be used as a basis for any investment decisions or advice, and 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any errors in the content.