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Unique illicit tobacco summit brings all parties together to examine impact on communities

21 September 2010

A unique  Summit held in Perth today [Tuesday 21 September] will bring together a wide variety of organisations for the first time in Scotland to discuss the important issue of illicit tobacco and its impact on Scotland's communities. This major event includes presentations from ASH Scotland, the Scottish Government, SCOTSS, HMRC, ACPOS, Scambusters, the Scottish Grocers Federation and academia.

Professor Gerard Hastings, Director of the Institute for Social Marketing at Stirling University who will chair the Summit said:

"Today's unique summit brings together for the first time many of the organisations that feel the impact of illicit tobacco, including enforcement organisations, the Scottish Government, retailers, health organisations, and community representatives.

"Presenters will give the international, UK, and Scottish perspectives and delegates and presenters will discuss a number of issues. These will include what impact the consumption of illicit tobacco has on the national strategy to reduce smoking rates; the involvement of civil society in reducing both supply and demand for illicit tobacco; the links to serious organised crime and the current strategy to intercept illicit tobacco; and examine examples of campaigns that have sought to change attitudes to illicit tobacco.

"A full report from the Summit will follow along with recommendations for the way forward in Scotland and these will also be presented to the Scottish Government and other networks. I hope this may form a basis for further plans to reduce both the supply and the consumption of illicit tobacco in Scotland."

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, a presenter at the summit added:

"The selling of illicit cigarettes, whether smuggled or counterfeit, is an issue for all of us. Illegal sales undermine legislation and public health messages that aim to encourage smokers to quit and prevent our children from starting. In addition, it brings crime to our streets and communities making them less safe for all of us. I hope this summit, which brings a varied and wide group of stakeholders for the first time, will propose clear ways forward to reduce the problem of illicit tobacco on our streets."

Dave Roderick, Chairman of the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) will be presenting at the summit on the role of Scambusters in tackling the illicit tobacco trade. Mr Roderick of North Lanarkshire Council which is joint host of the Scambusters project said:

"The Scottish Scambusters project concentrates on activities that are beyond the resources of individual local authority trading standards services. It aims to tackle cross border trading activities that impact on consumers. The work of the Scambusters team is intelligence driven and has a particular remit to work with the UK Border Agency in relation to sales of illicit and counterfeit tobacco. We want to stop serious organised crime getting illicit tobacco onto our streets and this is an example where joint working between agencies is hugely beneficial."

Michael Connolly, Head of Specialist Investigations, Inland Detection - Scotland, N. Ireland and Northern England and Detective Sergeant Allan Orr, Interventions Unit, Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) will give a joint presentation on how their organisations disrupt the illicit tobacco trade and the impact of serious organised crime in Scotland's communities. Commenting Michael Connolly said:

"Inland Detection is a national business unit within HMRC's Specialist Investigations. In respect to tobacco, the types of activity that our teams are involved in include: targeting of suppliers at domestic premises including, schools, pubs, and markets and car boot sales; the targeting and identification of middle market suppliers at industrial premises and self storage facilities; identification of 'Fiscal Marks' offences; and providing assistance and working with HMRC Criminal Investigation, in addition to other agencies, such as the Police, SCDEA, Trading Standards, and Local Councils.

"Our activities have led us to a Chinese counterfeiting organised crime group, who are importing tobacco into the UK, sending this to Scotland by Parcel Post/Courier, they are then intercepting the packages outside the various delivery addresses; and then delivering this on to their tobacco factory (usually a student-type bed-sit) to make this up in their counterfeit Golden Virginia packaging. Criminal prosecutions are likely in the imminent future."

Detective Sergeant Allan Orr added:

"The trade in illicit tobacco is not a victimless crime.  Those who are involved in this illegal activity are very often also responsible for other forms of serious organised crime, such as drug dealing, money laundering and human trafficking.

"The commodity is not important to these criminals, so long as it generates profits for them.  The money raised from this trade is benefiting no-one other than the criminals behind it, many of whom live lavish lifestyles funded by their illegal activities."

John Drummond, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers Federation who will explain and discuss the legitimate tobacco supply chain through supermarkets and smaller stores at the summit added:

"Our members are concerned for the future of communities across Scotland because of the impact of illicit tobacco. The illicit trade has an effect on responsible retailers which is why I am glad we have an opportunity today to discuss with a variety of different organisations how we tackle this important issue."