A spike in black market sales of illegal vapes and fake cigarettes is funding organised crime gangs in the UK, a shock new survey has found.
Figures show 11 out of 12 regions have seen a sharp rise in the illicit trade over the past year, with Scotland reporting the biggest increase of more than 20 per cent.
Northern Ireland and the South East of England have seen rises of 15.9 per cent and 14.5 per cent respectively.
There are now fears that if the controversial Tobacco and Vapes Bill is passed - which will see disposable and flavoured vapes made illegal - the blackmarket trade will only get worse.
Australia’s strict new laws on vapes, which bans their sale outside of pharmacies, has led to fire wars across the country with criminal gangs fighting to take control of the black market.
The latest report by Philip Morris International via KPMG reveals that London has seen a shocking surge in the trade of black market vapes and cigarettes of 109 per cent since 2020.
Further surveying of 200 London shop owners revealed a third are convinced sales of such products are fuelling dangerous and organised crime.
The poll found that illicit vape and cigarette use is highest in London’s poorest communities, with the cost-of-living crisis seen as a contributing factor. Half of all shopkeepers say economic hardship and the demand for cheaper products are drivers of illicit use.
Undercover operation
In a recent two-day undercover operation led by former Scotland Yard detective chief inspector Will O’Reilly, more than half of the 60 London stores visited were found selling illicit cigarettes and disposable vapes.
O’Reilly said: “This is a pattern I’ve observed across the country, with stores selling dangerous illicit cigarettes and vapes. Eliminating the illegal cigarette market alone could strip organised crime of profits equivalent to funding more than 115,000 new police officers.”
Duncan Cunningham, director of external affairs at Philip Morris International, said: “The illicit tobacco and vape trade poses a direct and serious threat to public health, preying on deprived communities and driving youth uptake.
“With the UK already among Europe’s largest illicit cigarette markets, we must strike a careful balance: safeguarding people, especially youth, from harmful illicit products, while ensuring adult smokers have access to smoke-free alternatives.”
