Open pack of cigarettes standing upright.
Share this @internewscast.com

PUNITIVE tobacco taxes have blown a £1.4 billion black hole in Treasury coffers, as smokers turn to black market cigs.

A staggering £3.1 billion in excise tax from various goods was lost last year to smugglers, counterfeiters, and illegal sellers, as Brits turned away from official shops in favor of cheap, illicit goods.

Open pack of cigarettes standing upright.
Punitive tobacco taxes have blown a £1.4 billion black hole in Treasury coffersCredit: Getty

That’s enough cash to pay the wages of over 60,000 nurses or hand out Winter Fuel Payments to every pensioner in the UK.

The biggest tax gap came from fags, followed by beer, which had hole of £700m.

Stephen Rooney from Imperial Brands stated: “These troubling figures highlight the extent and magnitude of Britain’s expanding illegal tobacco black market, which is currently denying the Treasury billions in lost tax annually.

“Smoking rates are not decreasing, and continually rising duties are simply driving customers towards the unregulated black market, which contributes nothing in tax.”

One in four fags in the UK now comes from the black market, where a pack can cost as little as £5, over three times cheaper than a legal pack of Marlboro Gold in British supermarkets.

In just three years, duty-paid cigarette sales have plunged nearly 45 per cent, from 23.6 billion in 2021 to just 13.2 billion now.

Rolling tobacco sales have also been slashed almost in half.

Yet smoking rates aren’t falling and have instead crept up in some parts of England for the first time in nearly 20 years, according to University College London research.

Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice said: “Hard working Brits, feeling the squeeze in their pockets, are turning to under the counter options, and who can blame them?

“The government’s tax policy is pricing them out of legitimate goods.

“Labour chooses not to partner with above board businesses, but with organised criminal gangs instead.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Christie Brinkley admits she is a 'fool for love' despite four failed marriages

Christie Brinkley Confesses She’s a ‘Romantic at Heart’ Even After Four Divorces

Christie Brinkley is no stranger to love. The legendary supermodel, who has been…
American veterans attacked, injured while distributing aid in Gaza with US-backed group

US-backed group distributing aid in Gaza reports assault and injuries to American veterans

Two American war veterans involved with the U.S.- and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian…
Square Roots Festival 2025: Live music festival returns to Lincoln Square, Chicago with bands, craft beers and family fun

Square Roots Festival 2025: Lincoln Square, Chicago Welcomes Back Live Music, Craft Beers, and Family Fun

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Square Roots festival is set to return from…
Bikes fill Neptune Beach's First Street for Fourth of July tradition

Neptune Beach’s First Street Fills with Bikes for July 4th Celebration

Neptune Beach Police shut down First Street to cars to accommodate the…
Environmental Protection Agency union alleges political retaliation after Chicago EPA workers put on leave after criticizing Trump

EPA Union Claims Political Retaliation as Chicago Workers Suspended After Trump Criticism

The ABC7 I-Team is investigating allegations of political retaliation involving U.S. Environmental…
Boss under fire after texts to pregnant employee revealed

Manager Faces Backlash After Texts to Pregnant Employee Exposed

An awkward text exchange between a pregnant employee and her boss over…
Girl clinging to a tree in floodwaters.

22-Year-Old Woman Rescued After Being Carried 20 Miles by Texas Floods; 25 Camp Children Still Missing

A YOUNG woman was miraculously rescued after being swept 20 miles downriver…
Security camera footage of a lion escaping and injuring people.

Scary Incident: Pet Lion Jumps Out of Garden to Attack Woman—and Owner’s Reaction is Equally as Startling

THIS is the terrifying moment a pet lion pounces on a woman…
South Philly shooting today: At least 8 wounded in mass shooting inside 7 Elements Restaurant Bar and Lounge in Philadelphia, PA

Mass Shooting at 7 Elements in South Philly: 8 Injured

PHILADELPHIA — At least eight people were wounded in a mass shooting…
NYC temporarily shuts down Queens beaches after sharks swim dangerously close to Fourth of July crowd

Shark Sightings Prompt Temporary Closure of Queens Beaches on Fourth of July

Several sharks were spotted in New York City waters on the Fourth…
Dalai Lama says he hopes to live beyond 130 years

Dalai Lama Expresses Hopes of Living Past 130 Years

The aged Dalai Lama expressed his desire to live beyond 130 years…
Woman recalls saving person's life from car fire on JTB

Heroic Woman Shares Story of Rescuing Someone from a Car Fire on JTB

JFRD called Ash Lawley a hero after she pulled a woman from…