Tobacco firms 'should face tougher fines'

Published on Tuesday 28 April 2009 10:33

FINES for smuggling handed down to tobacco companies should be heavy enough to prevent it happening again, a charity has warned.

Speaking after the Government struck a deal with two tobacco manufacturers, Edinburgh-based ASH said more still had to be done to prevent illegal cigarettes entering the country.

Some firms in the past have been criticised for being compliant in smuggling into the UK, and ASH's chief executive said if the problem was to cease more responsibility had to lie with the companies to stop the trade which sees the treasury miss out on an estimated 3 billion in tax every year.

Sheila Duffy said: "The fines the UK Government hands down must be large enough to show the tobacco companies that smuggling will not be tolerated.

"Illegal cigarette sales undermine the public health messages and stop smoking services that are funded through the NHS.

"Therefore all efforts that are made to prevent young people starting to smoke, help others quit and to stay quit are being undermined by the influx of cheaper cigarettes – counterfeit or smuggled."

The Government announced the deal with Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International to crack down on smuggling.