Next phase launches of highly successful campaign to reduce illegal tobacco
People in the North East will be helping to keep illegal tobacco out of their street as FRESH launches the next phase of an already successful campaign to reduce the size of the market in illegal tobacco across our communities.
Earlier phases showed how keen the public are to report information around sales of illegal tobacco, especially to children and ‘Keep it Out’ (16 July) encourages more people to contact Crimestoppers if they know where any kind of illegal tobacco is being sold- whether from ‘tab houses’, on the streets, at work or in local pubs and shops.
‘Keep it Out’ is the latest campaign from the world first ‘North of England Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health’ programme which FRESH has led in the North East since 2009 and working with HMRC, police, trading standards and the NHS. The already successful programme aims to reduce the demand and supply of illegal tobacco and increase enforcement against those who sell it by reporting sales to Crimestoppers.
Since its launch in 2009 the North East has had success in reducing the volume of illegal tobacco bought by 39 per cent, and the number of smokers buying illegal tobacco falling by ten per cent. This is estimated to have saved around £36million duty and tax. The overall national market has shown a massive decline by half in the last decade thanks to major national and international action. Overall smoking rates have also reduced faster in the North East in recent years than anywhere else in England.
Ailsa Rutter, director of FRESH, said: “All tobacco is lethal but we’ve been keen to work with partners like HMRC to reduce the illegal tobacco market because of the impact that it has on children and young people with sellers targeting them and making it easier for them to start to smoke and get addicted. This hugely concerns the public and thanks to this greater awareness, more people have been reporting it and refusing to turn a blind eye and fewer buying illegal tobacco. People in every town, village and city can make a difference to help keep even more illegal tobacco off the streets and we want to keep the pressure up on those who continue to sell illegal tobacco with our ‘Keep it Out’ campaign.
“Dealers don’t mind who they sell it to and we want all our children and young people to be protected as all tobacco ultimately kills, whether it is made and bought legally or illegally.”
A survey of over 4000 people in the North East and North West found that from 2009 to 2011:
• The volume of illegal tobacco bought by smokers had gone down by 39 per cent in the North East, estimated at £36 million saved from duty evasion
• The number of smokers buying illegal tobacco fell by 10 per cent
• Nine in ten people agree that children and young people are concerned that they are at risk from unscrupulous ‘dealers’ who will sell to them
• 14-15 year olds are twice as likely to buy illegal tobacco than adults
• Six out of ten people think that these ‘dealers’ also bring crime into local communities
Richard Ferry, of the North East Trading Standards Association, said: “Trading standards has played a key role in helping take more illegal tobacco off the streets and reduce a source for young people to smoke. High profile campaigns and local action have kept the pressure on dealers.
“There is more public awareness of illegal tobacco than ever and the illegal market has shrunk significantly thanks to work at the borders and regional and local action. We can reassure the public that action will be taken against sellers.”
Trading standards reports that much of the illegal cigarettes being seized in the North East are brands from the Far East mass manufactured in factories purely for the illegal market, as opposed to be being fakes on known brands.
David Hunter, regional manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Over a million people have given information about criminals to Crimestoppers and not once has their identity been breached. We want to know what you know, not who you are.”
The ‘Keep it Out’ campaign will run for three weeks through radio and digital advertising. Local partners will also be sharing materials with the public to reach as many people as possible over the summer.
Anyone who knows where illegal tobacco is being sold can pass on information in complete anonymity by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Or for more information click on www.keep-it-out.co.uk