Cheap tobacco,
costly consequences
The Behind the Butt campaign shines a light on the hidden costs of illicit tobacco – because what looks like a bargain can come at a much higher price. Don’t take the risk.
All tobacco is harmful, but illicit tobacco funds organised crime, puts communities at risk and hooks children into a cycle of addiction.
If a packet of cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco is being sold for far less than you'd expect, there's a reason.
What feels like a bargain can come with consequences for your community that aren't immediately visible.
It helps fund organised crime. It harms local communities. It deprives the public purse of millions of pounds that could be used to fund public services.
The hidden cost of cheap tobacco
It helps fund
organised crime
The illegal tobacco trade is frequently linked to organised criminal networks involved in wider criminality, including human trafficking and modern slavery. Money spent on illicit tobacco doesn't just disappear – it can help fund other serious crimes that exploit vulnerable people and communities
It harms local
communities
Illicit tobacco undercuts honest retailers who follow the law, pay tax and support local economies. It also makes it easier for children to start smoking and can expose them to wider criminal activity.
It costs
everyone
The illegal tobacco market deprives the public purse of millions of pounds in unpaid tax every year – money that could otherwise help fund public services.
What's illicit tobacco?
Illicit tobacco is tobacco that is sold illegally. It is often sold through social media, messaging apps, car boot sales, market stalls, pubs, private homes or under the counter in shops. This includes:
Counterfeit tobacco products manufactured and sold illegally.
Genuine tobacco products that have been smuggled into the UK without the correct duty being paid.
Tobacco products from brands that are not allowed to be sold in the UK.
Spot the signs
If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts. Be cautious if:
The price seems much lower than normal.
Tobacco is being sold from someone's home, car or through social media.
Someone offers to sell tobacco "under the counter" or away from the shop floor.
Products don't have the required UK health warnings or look poorly packaged.
Help tackle illicit tobacco
If you know where illicit tobacco is being sold, you can report it confidentially.
By sharing information, you can help protect your community and make it harder for criminals to profit.
Thinking about
quitting?
Quitting smoking can be one of the hardest things you'll ever do.
If you're thinking about quitting, you don't have to do it alone. Free, expert support is available across the UK to help you quit in a way that works for you. Whether you're ready to stop today or just starting to think about it, these services can provide practical advice, personalised support and information about the options available.