ASH Scotland supports increases in tobacco taxation as an effective way of reducing tobacco consumption. As a public health measure, the use of tobacco taxation has been shown to be effective: when the price goes up, people quit smoking, cut down or, in the case of young people, never start. However, there is anecdotal evidence that the increased availability of cheap smuggled tobacco, particularly in deprived communities in Scotland, is undermining the impact of tobacco taxation increases. Smuggled packets of 20 cigarettes are around 40% cheaper than their legal counter-parts. By offering tobacco products at a lower price than smoking cessation aids such as Nicotine Replacement Products (NRT), the availability of smuggled tobacco has threatened to undermine the Government's current public health strategy.
An ASH Scotland Expert Working Group took place in October 2000, bringing together those who are actively involved in law enforcement, customs and excise, health promotion and research. [Appendix One] The Group aimed to provide an overview of the current situation in Scotland, to look at the key players involved in tobacco smuggling and to identify ways of tackling the availability of cheaper smuggled tobacco in areas of deprivation in Scotland.