Raising price and reducing illicit trade

Increasing tobacco price is the most effective policy to reduce smoking rates, reduce health inequalities and prevent smoking-related deaths.

The availability of illicit tobacco undermines almost every aspect of tobacco control – in particular the effectiveness of taxation. It keeps smokers hooked and provides a cheap and accessible source of tobacco to children. Organised criminal gangs are behind the supply and it funds and fuels wider criminal activity in local communities.

We will also continue to advocate for effective tobacco taxation to ensure that the real price of tobacco remains high, that differential tax rates between tobacco products are eliminated and that tobacco tax policy is strengthened to minimise the impact of tobacco industry pricing strategies.

Visit the Illicit Tobacco Partnership section.