RAS Blog

Category: Cigarette Smuggling

  • Ireland’s Cigarette Smuggling 63 million euro loss to the Exchequer – Meath Live

    Ireland’s Cigarette Smuggling 63 million euro loss to the Exchequer – Meath Live

    October 17 2024

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) welcomes this week’s seizure by Revenue, of 8 million cigarettes in County Meath, as pictured above. This most recent seizure, with a retail value of almost 7.2 million, and a loss to the Exchequer of 5.7 million is the 33rd major illegal cigarette seizure of 2024. The total number of illegal cigarette seizures for last year was 31. RAS, an organisation which represents over 3,000 retailers across Ireland are urgently calling on the government to reduce or freeze taxes which impact the price of consumer goods, including a freeze on tobacco excise. Ireland has one of the highest rates of illegal tobacco trade in Europe. Illegal tobacco poses great risks to consumers and businesses, undermines anti-smoking and public health campaigns, is a significant source of organised crime and violates state rules on manufacturing, distribution and sale.

    So far this year, 85.4 million cigarettes have been seized by Revenue, with a total retail value of 81.7 million euros, a loss of 63 million euro to the Irish Exchequer. In terms of losses to the Irish Exchequer, August figures took this year’s figures past last year’s total. It is only October and with three remaining in the year, already the loss to the Exchequer is 18 million greater than last year. According to Tax Strategy Group papers 2 which were recently published ahead of the Budget 2025, an increase of 50 cents in excise on a pack of 20 cigarettes would theoretically bring in €40.6 million. However, the Tax Strategy Group papers also note the notional loss to the exchequer from non-Irish duty paid cigarettes and illicit cigarettes was approximately €422 million in 2023.

    Retailers Against Smuggling was extremely disappointed with the Government’s decision to increase excise on tobacco in Budget 2025, as RAS believes this excessive excise increase represents a big win
    for illegal tobacco sellers and represents a further blow to legitimate Irish retailers. Government is continuing to ignore the increasing levels of illicit tobacco products in Ireland, with Revenue finding that
    the last two consecutive years had the highest level of illicit cigarettes on record, which is clearly being fuelled by excessive excise hikes.

    Retailers across Ireland have for years, been cautioning government that the continual increasing of excise will only fuel illegal cigarettes sales resulting in increasing losses, not gains, to the Irish exchequer.
    This has been proven to the case over recent years. A review by RAS of the excise revenue received in the six years 2017-2022, shows that ahead of each budget, the Tax Strategy Group paper estimated over
    the six years that there would be cumulative additional receipts totaling €350 million. But, in reality, the actual revenue in that period fell from €1.397 million to €1.005 million, a €392 million decline.
    Given the tsunami of cigarette smuggling which has engulfed Ireland in 2024, further excise increase will only exacerbate the losses to the exchequer, while also causing significant loss in sales for legitimate
    retailers across Ireland, many of whom are small businesses already struggling.

    In terms of operational activities to tackle the illicit trade in tobacco products, robust enforcement plays a central role. This is primarily the task of Revenue. Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS), are also calling on
    a pressing need to increase funding in Budget 2025 for resources that will detect illicit market activity including x-ray scanners, airport inspections and sniffer dog units.

  • Retailers Call For Budget 2025 To Tackle Ireland’s Smuggling Problem – Checkout.ie

    July 05 2024

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has this week called on the government to rethink its policy approach towards smuggling and illicit trade in Ireland ahead of the 2025 Budget.

    The representative body for the retail sector met earlier this week at Buswells Hotel on Kildare Street, opposite Leinster House, to make the call on the government.

    The pre-budget submission calls on the government to reduce or freeze consumer taxes including tobacco excise, increase funding for the detection and enforcement of smuggling, and amend the Finance Act to prosecute suspected smugglers at Circuit Court level or higher.

    RAS has made the recommendations in light of a number of findings over the past two years.

    Smuggling Figures

    RAS says that the scale and surmounting magnitude of the problem is clearly illustrated by the numbers with the value of illegal cigarette smuggling on course to double in 2024.

    In 2023, a total of 31 major seizures came to the value of €58 million, at a loss of €45 million to the exchequer.

    In the first half of 2024 alone, there has been 27 major seizures worth a total value of around €53 million and a loss to the exchequer of €40 million.

    A poll of over 1,000 Irish adults conducted earlier this year by Ireland Thinks on behalf of RAS found that illicit market activity is becoming more normalised among the Irish public.

    The poll found that a quarter (25%) of all respondents have knowingly purchased some goods or services from an unofficial or irregular seller in the past 12 months.

    A separate survey by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of the Revenue Commissioner found that in 2023, 19% of cigarette packs held by smokers were illegal, smuggled tobacco.

    An additional 15% were legal but non-Irish duty paid.

    This is the highest level of illegality and excise evasion detected by this series of annual Revenue Commissioner surveys since they commenced in 2009.

    ‘At Risk’

    Commenting on the pre-budget submission, the spokesperson for RAS Seamus Griffin said, “Smuggling is a real issue, that is hitting us where it hurts most.

    “While we as retailers play by the rules and uphold the law, smugglers are skirting around those same laws and cutting from our profits.

    “It is time for serious investment in detection and enforcement to ensure those breaking the law face real consequences.

    “Without this, the integrity of our businesses and livelihoods are at risk.”

  • Retailers group call for ‘smuggling tsunami’ to be tackled after Cork Cigarette Seizure – The Corkman, Irish Independent

    July 31 2024

    A group which represents the interests of over 3,000 small and medium-sized retailers has called on the Government to further tackle Ireland’s “smuggling tsunami” following Revenue’s seizure of 4.67 million cigarettes at the Port of Cork on Tuesday.

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) welcomed the seizure of the illicit cigarettes, said to be worth almost €4 million, and called for enforcement measures against illegal smuggling to be increased to adequately protect the Exchequer and retail revenues.

    RAS said that earlier this month, it launched its pre-budget submission, which called on the Government to rethink its policy towards smuggling and illicit trade in order to tackle Ireland’s “smuggling tsunami”.

    In its submission, the association called on the Government to reduce or freeze consumer taxers including tobacco excise, increase funding for detection and enforcement of smuggling and amend the Finance Act to prosecute all suspected smugglers at Circuit Court level or higher.

    RAS said the scale and magnitude of Ireland’s smuggling problem is clearly illustrated by how the value of illegal cigarette smuggling is on course to double this year.

    “In the recently published Tax Strategy Group, which sits under the Department of Finance, it was recognised that despite increases to Tobacco Products Tax (TPT) in successive budgets, there has been a noticeable decline in receipts while smoking prevalence remains the same,” an RAS statement read.

    “The TSG warns that ‘the notable increase in the volume of products consumed outside the scope of Irish excise duty raises concerns that price increases may be creating incentive for black market activity.’”

    The RAS said a total of 31 major seizures came to the value of €58 million, at a loss of €45 million to the exchequer last year. It said, in the first half of this year alone, there have been 28 major seizures, worth a total value of around €57 million and a loss to the exchequer of €43 million. The value of tobacco products seized is looking as if it is set to double on last year.

    A poll of over 1,000 Irish adults conducted in spring of this year by Irish Thinks, on behalf of Retailers Against Smuggling, found that illicit market activity is becoming more and more normalised among the Irish public, with a quarter (25%) of all respondents having knowingly purchased some goods or services from an unofficial or irregular seller in the past 12 months.

    The RAS said with summer typically being a peak travel season, this means there are more people than usual moving through duty-free shops and other transit points, increasing the likelihood of people purchasing above and beyond the duty-free limits set on alcohol and tobacco.

    Spokesperson for RAS, Seamus Griffin, said smuggling is a “real issue” that is hitting retailers where it hurts most.

    “While we as retailers play by the rules and uphold the law, smugglers are skirting around those same laws and cutting from our profits. It is time for a serious investment in detection and enforcement to ensure those breaking the law face real consequences. Without this, the integrity of our businesses and livelihoods are at risk,” Mr Griffin said.

  • Seizures of illegal tobacco jump 50% in one year

    Seizures of illegal tobacco jump 50% in one year

    Total value of Revenue seizures of illegal tobacco in 2023 was €58m, up from €38.7m in 2022

    According to their figures, Revenue has seized €58m worth of tobacco in 2023. The total figure for 2022 was €38.7m, representing a jump of 50% in the space of a year. In 2023, seizures represented a loss of €45.1m to the Exchequer, with more than 66.5 million cigarettes found by Revenue’s scanners and detector dog teams.

    Illegal tobacco sales have soared over the past year with the issue now becoming a chronic challenge. Just in November, Revenue seized nearly 15m cigarettes in counties Dublin and Louth, with a total value of €12.5m.

    Under the Public Health Bill, the new licensing system will require a retailer who wishes to sell tobacco products or nicotine inhaling products to apply for an annual licence for each outlet with a yet unspecified fee, instead of a once-off fee of €50 in the current registration system. 

    This new system will add further unnecessary administrative burden and cost on retailers. RAS is calling for at least 30% of the funds collected from the licence fee to be ringfenced for initiatives that will meaningfully deal with the growth of smuggling activities in the country. 

    The recent 75c hike in excise in October’s budget pushed the average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes to €16.75, with rolling tobacco costing on average €23.30. With prices on the black market reportedly around €5-6, it threatens the business of local retailers which has already drastically shrunk in recent years. 

    A recent poll commissioned by RAS found that 33% of Irish smokers are prepared to purchase illegal tobacco, with that figure as high as 50% among 18-34 year olds. The representative body’s poll findings highlight the impact of Ireland’s record levels of illicit trade.

    This poll confirmed Revenue’s findings (Illegal Tobacco Products Research Survey) that 30% of tobacco products consumed in Ireland are either illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid. This showed a dramatic rise of 43% compared to 2021, and represented a loss to the Exchequer of €384 million last year. 

    RAS spokesperson, Benny Gilsenan, said: “We’ve gone past the tipping point – the black market already accounts for about a third of all tobacco in Ireland. With the way things are going we wonder how long until we see the black market take half of all the trade in Ireland away from honest retailers? With the extra tax raised the government must do more to strengthen Revenue’s hand and stop illegal tobacco coming into the country.”

  • New poll: Half of 18-34 year olds willing to purchase illegal tobacco

    New poll: Half of 18-34 year olds willing to purchase illegal tobacco

    Survey confirms Revenue findings that a third of tobacco products in the country are illegal or non-Irish Duty Paid

    33% of Irish smokers are prepared to purchase illegal tobacco, according to a new poll commissioned by Retailers Against Smuggling. The representative body’s poll findings highlight the impact of Ireland’s record levels of illicit trade.

    This poll confirms Revenue’s findings (Illegal Tobacco Products Research Survey) that 30% of tobacco products consumed in Ireland are either illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid. This showed a dramatic rise of 43% compared to 2021, and represented a loss to the Exchequer of €384 million last year. 

    The poll, carried out by Ireland Thinks, between the 21st and 25th of September, looked to gauge people’s willingness to purchase illegal tobacco. The poll also sought to understand what the appetite was among the panel surveyed to report those selling illegal tobacco to the relevant authorities. 

    The main findings of the poll include:  

    • 33% of smokers would purchase illegal tobacco
    • 50% of those aged 18-34 would purchase illegal tobacco – the highest among all of the age cohorts
    • Only 13% of those aged 65+ would do the same – the lowest among all of the age cohorts 
    • 70% of smokers said they would not report illegal tobacco sellers if they encountered them. This figure was highest among students with 94% saying they wouldn’t report illegal tobacco sellers, and it was also high among those in full time employment at 79%. Only 48% of retirees said they wouldn’t report illegal tobacco sellers. 

    Illegal tobacco sales have soared over the past year with the issue now becoming a chronic challenge. With the increase in international travel and increased smuggling, Ireland’s streets are awash with non-Irish duty paid tobacco.  In the space of just one week (25-31 May, 2023) Revenue seized nearly 8 million cigarettes at Dublin Port representing a loss of €5m to the Exchequer; with another major seizure of 10 million cigarettes on June 9, showing the size of the illegal tobacco market in Ireland.  

    Under the Public Health Bill, the new licensing system will require a retailer who wishes to sell tobacco products or nicotine inhaling products to apply for an annual licence for each outlet with a yet unspecified fee, instead of a once-off fee of €50 in the current registration system. This new system will add further unnecessary administrative burden and cost on retailers. 

    RAS is calling for at least 30% of the funds collected from the licence fee to be ringfenced for initiatives that will meaningfully deal with the growth of smuggling activities in the country. Currently, Revenue has 23 detector dog teams and three mobile x-ray scanners. With more than 1.2 million freight vehicles and trailers passing through the three main Irish ports last year, Revenue faces a mammoth task in detecting contraband being smuggled into the country and so meaningful resources are desperately needed against this backdrop.

    National Spokesperson for Retailers Against Smuggling, Benny Gilsenan said: “It’s no surprise that the illegal cigarette trade has grown in recent years, following a cost-of-living crisis and lack of enforcement at our borders. With one of the highest prices for tobacco in Europe you can see why Ireland has become a destination for criminals to sell tobacco. This new licence fee will put a strain on already squeezed retailers. Government must use at least a third of this money to help protect us against the black market, and support Revenue with more scanners and personnel at entry points across the country.” 

    The survey sample size was 1,060; with a margin of error: +/- 3.1 per cent

  • Retailers Against Smuggling call for government to increase resources in budget to combat smuggling 

    Retailers Against Smuggling call for government to increase resources in budget to combat smuggling 

    Illegal tobacco sales cost the Exchequer €384 million in 2022, Revenue needs more funds to combat smuggling  
     

    In its pre-budget submission released today, Retailers Against Smuggling have called for increased resources for Revenue to combat smuggling at a time where 30% of tobacco products consumed in Ireland are either illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid, costing the Exchequer €384m in 2022. 

    RAS proposes that 30% of funds collected from the new licence fee is ringfenced for initiatives that will meaningfully deal with the growth of smuggling activities in the country. Currently, Revenue has 23 detector dog teams and three mobile x-ray scanners. With more than 1.2 million freight vehicles and trailers passing through the three main Irish ports last year, Revenue faces a mammoth task in detecting counterfeit goods being smuggled into the country and so meaningful resources are desperately needed against this backdrop. 

    In the space of just one week (25-31 May, 2023) Revenue seized nearly 8 million cigarettes at Dublin Port representing a loss of €5m to the Exchequer; with two further major seizures of 10 million cigarettes on June 9, and €10 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes seized in Dublin on July 4, showing the size of the illegal tobacco market in Ireland.   

    The magnitude of this issue can be best explained by the outcome of a recent poll by Ireland Thinks which found that 32% of smokers said they were prepared to purchase illegal tobacco. To sum this up, Revenue estimates the amount lost to the Exchequer from illegal cigarettes to be more than €2.1 billion between 2013 and 2022. 

    17% of all cigarette and roll-your-own packs in Ireland have been found to be illegal, with a further 13% being non-Irish Duty Paid, representing 30% of all tobacco products in the country. Rates of illegal cigarettes in 2022 jumped by 43% compared to the previous year (Source: Revenue Illegal Tobacco Products Research Surveys 2022). 

    Under the Public Health Bill, the new licensing system will require a retailer who wishes to sell tobacco products or nicotine inhaling products to apply for an annual licence for each outlet with a yet unspecified fee, instead of a once-off fee of €50 in the current registration system. This new system will add further unnecessary administrative burden and cost on retailers.  
     

    The border with Northern Ireland is also causing issues for retailers. According to a recent RTE Prime Time Investigates programme from April 2022, 100,000 tonnes of smoky coal smuggled from Northern Ireland (which is not subject to carbon tax) is costing the Exchequer €8.7 million. If this continues, by 2025, a total of €77 million will be lost to the State through carbon tax evasion alone. 
     

  • Retailers welcome new major tobacco seizure valued at €10 million 

    Retailers welcome new major tobacco seizure valued at €10 million 

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) welcomes the seizure by Gardaí and Revenue Customs officers of counterfeit cigarettes in West Dublin on July 4. The seizure has an estimated retail value of over €10 million, showing a potential loss to the Exchequer of nearly €7.5 million.  

    The Association asserts the need to increase enforcement measures against illegal smuggling, to adequately protect the Exchequer and retail revenues and curb youth access to tobacco products. Counterfeit cigarettes are unregulated and have been found to contain substances such as pesticides, arsenic, industrial dyes, rat droppings, tobacco beetles, and sawdust as well as higher levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide. 

    Last year alone, over 51 million cigarettes and 11 tonnes of tobacco were seized, with a combined retail value of approximately €48 million. In 2022, 30% of all cigarette packs held by smokers in the country were found to be classified as illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid, representing a loss to the Exchequer of €384 million in 2022. This is a rise of 43% compared to 2021. Year after year, the significant seizures of both illegal and NIDP cigarettes demonstrate that more must be done to protect retailers and consumers. 

    Commenting RAS national spokesperson Benny Gilsenan said: “The cost-of-living crisis and lack of enforcement have fuelled the emergence of organised crime gangs in local communities, targeting vulnerable people as demand for cheaper illegal products grows – products that do not meet the required safety standards. For this reason, the Government must strengthen Revenue’s hand in identifying and targeting any attempts at the illegal supply or sale of illicit tobacco.” 

    These recent events illustrate that illicit trade is continuing to grow in Ireland. RAS commends the ongoing work by Revenue and Gardai in the fight against tobacco smuggling and illicit trade and encourages anyone with information on the sale or supply of illegal cigarettes and tobacco to contact its confidential hotline. Free phone number 1800 295 295.  

  • PUBLIC HEALTH BILL REACTION: Proposed licensing scheme fails to protect consumers from illegal tobacco sales

    PUBLIC HEALTH BILL REACTION: Proposed licensing scheme fails to protect consumers from illegal tobacco sales

    Meaningful enforcement measures are required to curb the enormity of illegal tobacco sales 

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) today (June 1) calls on the Government to increase enforcement measures against illegal smuggling and ringfence funding for initiatives that will meaningfully address illicit trade, at a time where 30% of tobacco products consumed in Ireland are either illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid.

    RAS notes the publication of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill following cabinet approval, and is highly concerned by a provision within the Bill to replace the current registration system for retailers with a licensing scheme, which will add a further unnecessary administrative burden and cost on retailers.

    The Bill which came before Cabinet for sign off today (June 1) by the coalition parties contains a new licensing scheme to replace the current registration system for those who sell cigarettes. 

    The Association asserts that efforts would be better focused on increasing enforcement measures against illegal smuggling, to adequately protect the Exchequer and retail revenues and curb youth access to tobacco products. 

    With the introduction of the new licensing system apply, RAS proposes that a percentage of funds collected from the licence fee is ringfenced for initiatives that will meaningfully deal with the growth of smuggling activities in the country. Recently, the UK announced a new £3 million illicit vapes enforcement squad and Revenue is in need of similar support to stop illegal tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products entering the country. 

    Last year alone, over 51 million cigarettes and 11 tonnes of tobacco were seized, with a combined retail value of approximately €48 million. This amount of seizures indicates the huge level of demand for illicit tobacco, and the figures are representative of those products that did not make it onto the market. In 2022, 30% of all cigarette packs held by smokers in the country were found to be classified as illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid, representing a loss to the Exchequer of €384 million in 2022. This is a rise of 43% compared to 2021. Year after year, the significant seizures of both illegal and NIDP cigarettes demonstrate that more must be done to protect retailers and consumers.

    Spokesperson for Retailers Against Smuggling Benny Gilsenan said “The cost-of-living crisis and lack of enforcement have fuelled the emergence of organised crime gangs in local communities, targeting vulnerable people as demand for cheaper illegal products grows – products that do not meet the required safety standards. For this reason, the Government must strengthen Revenue’s hand in identifying and targeting any attempts at the illegal supply or sale of illicit tobacco.”

    If there must be a new license fee introduced, the fees collected from it must be used to provide more scanners, personnel and detector dogs for our ports and airports. This would send a strong message that we are serious about curbing smuggling while having the added benefit of ensuing that legitimate businesses are protected against the black market.”

    About the licensing system 

    Under the Public Health Bill, the new licensing system will require a retailer who wishes to sell tobacco products or nicotine inhaling products to apply for an annual licence with a yet unspecified fee, instead of a once-off fee of €50 in the current tobacco registration system.

  • Nearly one third of Irish smokers don’t pay Irish duty

    Nearly one third of Irish smokers don’t pay Irish duty

    Rates of illegal cigarettes in 2022 jumped by 43% compared to the previous year, costing the Exchequer a record €384 million in 2022

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has expressed grave concerns over the shocking increase in tobacco smuggling in Ireland, as highlighted in statistics published today (26 April) by Revenue / IPSOS.

    In 2022, 30% of all cigarette packs held by smokers in the country were found to be classified as illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid (NIDP), representing a significant increase from 21% in 2021. The estimated loss to the Exchequer on 31.7 million illegal cigarette packs is approximately €384 million (in excise and VAT), and an additional loss of €120 million compared to 2021.

    17% of all cigarette and roll your own packs in Ireland have been found to be illegal. This is a marked increase from 13% in 2021. A further 13% of cigarette packs and 10% of roll your own packs have been found to be legal but Non-Irish Duty Paid; up from 8% and 5% respectively, from 2021.

    Ipsos released today the results of its annual Illegal Tobacco Products Research Surveys 2022. Market research company Ipsos conduct independent surveys of smokers each year for Revenue and the HSE’s National Tobacco Control Office.

    With Ireland ranked as the most expensive country in Europe to purchase duty paid tobacco products, consumers are taking advantage of the option to purchase cheaper products outside the State while travelling and bringing it back. Importantly, the re-introduction of Duty Free on air and sea routes between Ireland and the UK after Brexit has resulted in a rapid decline of legitimates cigarette sales in the Irish market.

    Commenting, national spokesperson for RAS and Dublin based retailer, Benny Gilsenan said: “It’s no surprise that the illegal cigarette trade has grown following the introduction of the new Duty-Free area with the UK. Travel limits are poorly enforced at borders and this is clearly reflected in the significant jump in 2022. Add to that the fact that Ireland is a destination market for criminals to sell tobacco and you can begin to understand the shockingly high level that Revenue is reporting for 2022. It’s the legitimate retailers and the Exchequer that are losing out.”

    Notes to editors:

    • National spokesperson for RAS, Benny Gilsenan is available for media interview upon request.
    • The Revenue 2022 Tobacco Products Research Survey can be accessed here.
    • The Revenue 2022 Annual Report can be accessed here.

    About Retailers Against Smuggling

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) represents over 3,000 small and medium-sized retailers across the country. RAS aims to generate widespread awareness amongst the public, media and decision-makers of the impact that smuggled alcohol, tobacco products and solid fuel has on both the livelihoods of local legitimate retailers and consumers in Ireland.

    For more information about RAS, visit www.retailersagainstsmuggling.ie.

  • Retailers concerned over increasing number of contraband seizures 

    Retailers concerned over increasing number of contraband seizures 

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) today welcome the announcement of new tobacco seizures in County Cork and Louth, however, note concern over the increasing number of contraband seizures in recent weeks. Rigorous monitoring and checks by Revenue officers are essential to combat criminal enterprises that are constantly adapting and seeking new ways of ensuring illicit tobacco products are widely available in Ireland. 

    A first capture of over 79,000 cigarettes and 57 litres of alcohol worth €63,000 in retail value took place on 16 March 2023, and equates a €50,000 estimated loss to the Exchequer. 

    Separately, on 18 March, Revenue officers seized 60,000 cigarettes, which have an estimated retail value of €47,000 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €37,000.   

    These seizures demonstrate the significant volume and value of illicit tobacco products that are likely to enter onto the Irish market. RAS commends the work of Revenue and the ongoing efforts of customs officials to tackling the growing number of organised criminal groups and the devasting impact they have on the community.  

    Commenting, national spokesperson for RAS and Dublin based retailer, Benny Gilsenan said: “Significant seizures of tobacco products by Revenue officials in recent weeks indicate that the black- market economy is alive and well. Legitimate retailers across the country are facing unfair competition from criminal organisations exploiting the increasing demand for cheaper products in the context of the cost-of-living and energy crisis”. 

    RAS encourages anyone with information on the sale or supply of illegal cigarettes and tobacco to contact its confidential hotline. Free phone number 1800 295 295.