Large quantities of 'illegal cigarettes' being sold in Dungannon

by Gillian McDade

Illegal cigarettes are being sold in large quantities in Dungannon.

That’s according to Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott.

He says more needs to be done by the government to tackle this issue.

And he says it’s traders who are most affected by these ‘under the counter’ sales.

“I have established through an answer to one of my Parliamentary questions, that the tax gap made up by the illicit tobacco market was estimated to be £2.4 billion in 2015-16,” he said.

 Mr Elliott revealed that of this, £1.9 billion was lost in tobacco duties and £0.5 billion in VAT.

“These are huge, unnecessary costs to the public purse which is why I believe more needs to be done to tackle this crisis,” he said.

Mr Elliott said he has been speaking to traders in Dungannon – and that illegal cigarettes are being sold in large quantities ‘under-the-counter’ for a reduced price.

“These cigarettes most likely have no UK Duty paid and as such they are ripping off local traders who are selling goods honestly as well as the local economy.

 “The illicit tobacco market is unfair and unjustified. I will continue to push for the Government to do much more to tackle this prominent issue which is affecting local traders,” he said.

You can listen to what Mr Elliott has to say here: