TOBACCO SMUGGLING

Early day motion 1423, tabled 17 June 2003 by John Cummings (Labour). Signed by 40 members.

That this House notes with dismay that the smuggling of tobacco products into the UK continues at such a seriously high level and that 26 per cent. of all cigarettes smoked in the UK are non-UK duty paid; notes that the influx of illegal tobacco is resulting in the average independent retailer losing almost ú1,000 per week in tobacco sales and is depriving HM Treasury of ú3.5 billion in annual unpaid duties; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to accept that until the UK tobacco tax levels are brought more into line with those of our European partners smuggling-related crime will rise, more independent retailers will lose business and more jobs will be lost across the UK.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, DUP 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.