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** 28 October 2025
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UK


** Jack Rankin MP criticises the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, claiming it will boost illicit sales (#1)
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** Tobacco industry-linked investigators warn Tobacco and Vapes Bill could strengthen criminal smuggling networks (#2)
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** C-talk poll shows convenience stores are concerned about Tobacco and Vapes Bill (#3)
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** New campaign promotes smoke-free sidelines at Nottinghamshire youth football matches (#5)
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** We Vape launch campaign targeting ultra-high-strength nicotine pouches (#6)
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International


** Research investigates nicotine pouches as potential smoking alternative (#7)
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** EU divided over cigarette filter ban (#8)
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Parliamentary activity


** Written question (#9)
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UK


** Jack Rankin MP criticises the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, claiming it will boost illicit sales

Jack Rankin MP has told the Express that Keir Starmer’s plan to phase out smoking through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill could unintentionally strengthen China’s role in the UK’s illegal vape and cigarette trade. He argues the measure will damage small businesses and drive consumers towards illicit vape imports, most of which originate in China.

Source: Daily Express, 27 October 2025

Editorial note: The article includes inaccurate claims about the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, tobacco taxation and the illicit trade. Alongside introducing a generational smoking ban, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will give the government powers to introduce a licencing scheme for the sale of tobacco, vapes and non-medicinal nicotine products. This will help to improve illicit tobacco enforcement and crack down on underage sales. Raising the age of sale will have a gradual impact over time, so is unlikely to significantly impact the illicit market. When the tobacco age of sale increased from 16 to 18 in 2007 it had no impact on black market sales – the number of illicit cigarettes consumed actually declined ([link removed]) by 25% following the age of sale rise. Strong enforcement is crucial for addressing the black market.

The article cites a claim from a Philip Morris-funded KPMG ([link removed]) report on the illicit tobacco trade, that the “UK’s trade in counterfeit tobacco is now the third-largest in Europe by both volume and the proportion of cigarettes smoked”. HMRC data on the illicit trade shows that this claim is false, with the UK market smaller than at any time on record. Between 2000/01 and 2023/24, the number of illicit cigarettes consumed in the UK declined by almost 90% – amounting to 13 billion fewer illicit cigarettes consumed per year – alongside a 68% decline in illicit HRT. During this time, the duty gap (the amount of tax revenue lost due to the illicit trade) has fallen from £2.5bn to £1.4bn. The KPMG reports have been criticised ([link removed]) by independent experts for consistently overestimating levels of illicit
cigarettes, being over reliant on unvalidated tobacco industry information, being insufficiently transparent and misrepresenting both the findings and pre-existing data.

The article also claims that tobacco taxes are driving “people away from the legal market and towards illegal alternatives”. The UK’s experience clearly demonstrates that this claim is false. The number of illicit cigarettes consumed in the UK has fallen by almost 90% since the turn of the century, while the price of an average pack of cigarettes has more than tripled. Tobacco taxes are considered the single most effective way to reduce smoking rates according to the World Bank ([link removed]) and WHO ([link removed]) . In the UK, tobacco taxes – combined with a comprehensive anti-smuggling strategy – have been highly effective at reducing both smoking prevalence and the illicit trade in tobacco.

For further info, see the ASH webpage: Illicit tobacco: facts, trends and industry tactics ([link removed])
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** Tobacco industry-linked investigators warn Tobacco and Vapes Bill could strengthen criminal smuggling networks

Howard Pugh, former HMRC criminal investigator, has claimed that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill could unintentionally expand the black market for illicit products. Labour maintains that the Bill will strengthen public health and bolster enforcement powers with new funding.

Source: City A.M., 27 October 2025

Editorial note: Howard Pugh, the former HMRC and Europol investigator quoted in this article, has previously spoken at the annual tobacco industry conference, The Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum ([link removed]) . He has also previously met with tobacco companyPhilip Morris International. ([link removed])

The other ‘expert’ quoted, Stefano Betti, is Deputy Director General of the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) ([link removed]) which accepts sponsorship from tobacco companies to help in the production of reports and quotes uncritically from industry documents as part of its analysis.

Pugh claims that the generational smoking ban could have the same impact as the tobacco sales ban in South Africa. This is a claim advanced by both JTI ([link removed]) and Imperial Brands ([link removed] of IMB response to DHSC consultation creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping.pdf) . The South African government introduced a temporary ban on the sale of tobacco and vaping products between 27 March and 17 August 2020 as part of the COVID-19 lockdown. This lasted less than 6 months and was not effective ([link removed]) for reducing smoking prevalence. Smokers continued to buy tobacco on the black market ([link removed])
despite the ban.

This is not the policy being implemented in the UK. The generational smoking ban will only apply to future generations and will not prevent existing adult smokers from purchasing tobacco. The regulatory context in the UK is also completely different to South Africa. In the UK, smoking rates are much lower and continue to decline; tobacco is tightly regulated; the illicit market is much smaller and is subject to strict controls; stop smoking support is widely available and smokers can access a range of stop smoking aids and alternatives, including vapes.

For further info, see the ASH webpage: Illicit tobacco: facts, trends and industry tactics ([link removed])
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Read Here ([link removed])


** C-talk poll shows convenience stores are concerned about Tobacco and Vapes Bill

A recent poll of convenience store owners commissioned by retailer platform C-talk has shown that around one in ten convenience stores would contemplate shutting their business if the Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law. Many retailers express concern that the proposed restrictions, among other pressures, would place their enterprises under strain.

Source: The Grocer, 27 October 2025

Editorial note: Paul Cheema, the organiser of the letter writing campaign, is the Chairman of the retailer platform C-Talk which has worked with Philip Morris.

The article does not provide any information about the survey questions or methodology.
Independent research commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) found that most small retailers support the UK Government’s proposals ([link removed]) in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Of 900 small tobacco retailers surveyed, 51% backed the proposed age of sale legislation - almost twice the number opposed (26%).

The findings reflect a broader shift in the retail landscape. Footfall driven by tobacco purchases has declined significantly ([link removed]) , falling by nearly 40% in under a decade. In 2015, tobacco was part of 21% of transactions; by 2022, research from the University of Edinburgh found this had dropped to just 12.8%.

Retailers also benefit little from tobacco sales. While tobacco remains highly profitable for manufacturers, it yields low margins for shop owners ([link removed]) - just 8.5% on average, compared to 21% across all products and 37.1% for vaping products.
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Read Here ([link removed](27%20October))


** New campaign promotes smoke-free sidelines at Nottinghamshire youth football matches

A new scheme across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is encouraging grassroots football clubs to ban smoking and vaping on the sidelines to protect children’s health and promote positive role models. The Smokefree Sidelines initiative, supported by local councils, the county’s Football Association, and community sports foundations, aims to create a healthier environment for young players and their families. Participating clubs will receive free resources and promotional materials to help implement the policy and raise awareness of the harms of smoking and vaping around children.

Source: My Nottingham News, 27 October 2025
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Read Here ([link removed])


** We Vape launch campaign targeting ultra-high-strength nicotine pouches

A new online campaign has been launched by We Vape and other vape and nicotine pouch retailers to ban high strength nicotine pouches. The campaign highlights concern over products containing nicotine levels up to 20mg per pouch, and warns against 'overly strict' regulations that could limit the use of nicotine pouches.

Source: Convenience Store, 27 October

Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will introduce a minimum age of sale of 18 and ban advertising of nicotine pouches and give the government powers to regulate their nicotine strength, flavours, packaging and display.
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Read Here ([link removed])
International


** Research investigates nicotine pouches as potential smoking alternative

Jamie Hartmann Boyce from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has examined the use of tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches as a possible tool for reducing harm from smoking. Early evidence suggests that switching from smoking to these pouches lowers exposure to harmful substances, though current studies are limited and do not yet confirm their effectiveness for quitting entirely. Unlike traditional nicotine replacement therapies, the pouches are not formally approved for cessation, but recent FDA authorisation in the U.S. recognises their potential public health benefit. Hartmann Boyce emphasises that while non-smokers should avoid starting, smokers who struggle to quit may reduce harm by switching to well-regulated alternatives.

Source: Medical Xpress, 27 October 2025
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Read Here ([link removed])


** EU divided over cigarette filter ban

European governments are split on a proposal to prohibit cigarette filters, with several member states rejecting the idea despite support from the European Commission. The measure, discussed ahead of the WHO COP11 tobacco control meeting, is intended to reduce smoking’s appeal and challenge the misconception that filters make cigarettes safer. The proposal comes as the EU tightens its broader tobacco policies through higher taxes and new levies on tobacco tax revenues.

Source: Euractiv, 27 October 2025
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Read Here ([link removed])
Parliamentary activity


** Written Question

Asked by Helen Morgan MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Health and Social Care), North Shropshire

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to reduce the number of illegal tobacco and vaping products on sale in North Shropshire.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Labour, Chipping Barnet

The Government is committed to reducing the number of illicit tobacco and vaping products on sale nationally.

For tobacco, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has a robust strategy to tackle the illicit tobacco trade. HMRC works closely with Trading Standards to disrupt the illicit tobacco trade at retail level – known as Operation CeCe. In its first three years, more than 46 million illegal cigarettes and 12,600kg of hand-rolling tobacco were seized.

In July 2023, HM Revenue and Customs introduced a strengthened sanctions regime for breaches of the UK Tobacco Track and Trace System to combat illicit tobacco sales. New powers were also given to Trading Standards to make referrals to HMRC where they find evidence of high street retailers selling tobacco products that do not comply with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace System.

In January 2024, HMRC and Border Force published their latest illicit tobacco strategy, ‘Stubbing Out the Problem’. This sets out the Governments’ continued commitment to restrict the trade in illicit tobacco with a focus on reducing demand, and to tackle and disrupt organised crime groups. This strategy is supported by £100 million of new smokefree funding allocated over 5 years to boost existing HMRC and Border Force enforcement capability.

As with tobacco, there is a cross-government approach to reducing the number of illegal vapes. The vaping equivalent of Operation CeCe, Operation Joseph, led to the seizure of over 1 million illegal vapes in 2023-24, the last full year for which statistics are available.

HMRC are also working closely with both Trading Standards and Border Force to develop a robust compliance approach for the introduction of Vaping Products Duty (VPD) on 1 October 2026.

VPD is a new excise duty on vaping products, which will introduce additional compliance powers and controls across the vaping supply chain. This includes the introduction of a Vaping Duty Stamps (VDS) scheme, which will require highly secure stamps to be placed on all duty paid goods, supporting enforcement agencies and customers to identify illegal products.

HMRC are recruiting over 300 staff to strengthen this compliance approach and deliver VPD.
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.

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