Tobacco Smuggling

EDM number 371 in 2004-05, proposed by John Cummings on 13/12/2004.

That this House notes with dismay that smuggling of tobacco products into the UK continues at such a seriously high level that 24 per cent. of cigarettes and 71 per cent. of hand-rolling tobacco smoked in the UK evades UK duty; further notes that the influx of illegal tobacco is threatening the jobs of workers in the British tobacco manufacturing industry, resulting in the average independent retailer losing almost ú1,000 per week in tobacco sales and depriving Her Majesty's Treasury of more than ú17.5 billion since 1995 in unpaid duties; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to accept that until UK tobacco tax levels are brought more into line with those of our European partners, smuggling-related crime will rise, more independent retailers will lose business and more jobs will be lost across the UK.

This motion has been signed by a total of 28 MPs.