TOBACCO SMUGGLING

Early day motion 381, tabled 8 January 2004 by John Cummings (Labour). Signed by 40 members.

That this House notes with dismay that smuggling of tobacco products into the UK continues at such a seriously high level that 26 per cent. of all cigarettes smoked in the UK are non-UK duty-paid; further notes that the influx of illegal tobacco is threatening the jobs of workers in the British tobacco manufacturing industry, is resulting in the average independent retailer losing almost ú1,000 per week in tobacco sales and is depriving Her Majesty's Treasury of more than ú3 billion in annual unpaid duties; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to accept that until 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 United Kingdom.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, DUP 4, Liberal Democrat 4, UUP 4, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.