Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

In other words sports not supported and classed as "extra curricular". therefore "At your own risk".

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

True, most smokers that I know now use the black market because of the cost. ISTR reading somewhere that about 50% of smokers now do this.

My opinion on smoking is that, as long as adults are fully aware of the health risks and other people aren't affected, they have a right to do so.

I argued against a unilateral smoking ban in pubs. Smoking rooms with a warning on the door or smoking & smoke free pubs at the discretion of the licence holder would have been a better idea.

Also, I believe that other taxpayers shouldn't bear the cost of others smoking and they don't. Only about 20% of taxation on tabacco is needed to compensate the NHS, the rest is pure profit for the treasury.

If everyone stopped smoking tomorrow, the Government would face a financial hole in its finances and could mean an increase in income tax for the rest of us.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

BLOODY HELL Richard! I never thought this day would ever come. I actually agree with you 100%!

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

I doubt very much that "50% of smokers" use the black market. Maybe in an anecdotal bubble.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

More like a few per cent l would say now.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Perhaps but it is a sizeable percentage, then again anecdotally I travel far and wide throughout the country and the black market exists and is thriving. As the government increase prices so does the black market.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

June 2017 Link


Apparently counterfeit and contraband consumption was 16% just 2 years ago.

IMO licensing of sales of alcohol and tobacco should be linked. Transgress on one and you lose the license to sell the other.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

I'm not sure how you travelling "far and wide" backs it up.

Of course more and more people will look to other means as prices rise but saying things like 50% of the country use the black market for fags is nonsense.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

My wife and I don't smoke shop bought cigs anymore, but if we did we would definitely be looking at the cheaper black market stuff.

We now both roll our own, and although it took some getting used to it's much cheaper than anything else out there.

And I'd estimate that 50% of smokers buying from the black market is a pretty close ball park figure. Trying to force a stop on something like this simply drives it underground.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

As a smoker myself I think I have a little more knowledge about black market tobacco products than a non-smoker.

Also worthy of note, I never mentioned Fags or 50%.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

A little more knowledge than who? I myself was a smoker for 20+ years until a couple of years ago, does that also give me some magical insight into the buying habits of a 66 million population country?

No but you quoted my answer to someone that did.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Well I do for starters, I have a friend who travels to Europe most weeks in a large lorry. :)

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Wow!

Tax evasion... ;)

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Likewise and if away in another part of the country I can always find a source.

As I'm not a nonsmoker what do I know.

As a smoker I do know that the black market tobacco is readily available anywhere I go.

Ex smokers quite often come across worse than born again Christians! They know everything!

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Well you are alright with me then ;) as l had one try behind the bike shed at school and praise the lord that was quite enough for me thank you.