Counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and disposable vapes were seized as part of an undercover operation in Newcastle.
Undercover test purchases were carried out at various stores in the city as part of an operation by the Illicit Trade Prevention Team, with around 50 purchases of illicit goods made by the team.
The operation was carried out on behalf of tobacco firm Philip Morris Limited (PML) which says concerns are growing among convenience retailers that the cost of living crisis will fuel a rise in the consumption of cheap, illicit cigarettes in the UK this year.
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It comes as the Chancellor announced in Wednesday's spring budget that the cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes would be increasing by £1.55, taking the price above £14.
Will O’Reilly, former Detective Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard, and illicit tobacco consultant for PML said: "Following recent undercover test purchases in Newcastle, the Illicit Trade Prevention (ITP) team, working on behalf of Philip Morris Limited (PML), made approximately 50 purchases of illicit tobacco and illicit vaping goods.
"These included illicit and counterfeit cigarettes as well as illicit disposable vapes – many of which had puff counts exceeding 9,000 – with three stores highlighting their illicit vaping stock using countertop displays.
"What we’re seeing in Newcastle is being replicating across the UK; criminal networks expanding their stockpile of illicit goods to include illicit vaping products, which can undermine legitimate products and the role they are playing in reducing the harm of smoking."
Survey data from KAM on behalf of PML, has revealed the growing concern among convenience retailers have that the current cost-of-living crisis will fuel a rise in the consumption of cheap, illicit cigarettes.
PML asked 250 UK convenience retailers a series of questions on what trends may emerge in the tobacco and smoke-free categories in 2023.
On the issue of illicit tobacco, more than half (51%) of responding convenience stores said they felt concerned that the current economic climate will increase the consumption of cheap, illicit cigarettes this year.
When asked if greater access to, and awareness of, affordable smoke-free alternatives would help reduce any potential increase in the consumption of illicit cigarettes, 4 in 10 UK retailers said that it would.
In response to the rising cost-of-living, 46% of retailers also plan on expanding their smoke-free product range to offer adult smokers more affordable alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn products, and nicotine pouches.
Figures released last year found close to one-in-five cigarettes consumed in the UK in 2021 were illicit– up to almost one-in-three in some areas, such as the North East of England.
This increase was fuelled by counterfeit cigarettes, growing 34.1% in 2021, meaning they are now the most prevalent form of illicit cigarette in the UK.
Will added: “The concerns of UK convenience retailers on the potential increase in illicit tobacco consumption are certainly justified, given the current cost-of-living crisis and the fact that criminal networks have a history of exploiting financial vulnerability.
“In recent years, the black market has evolved rapidly – moving beyond tobacco to include other nicotine-containing products, particularly illegal disposable vaping devices.
"This is another key concern for those retailers operating on the right side of the law and committed to giving their adult customers access to quality, compliant and trust-worthy smoke-free alternatives.”
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