ILLICIT TOBACCO TRADE

That this House calls for stronger penalties for the sale of counterfeit tobacco, including shisha tobacco, and an increased drive to secure more criminal prosecutions to reduce the trade in illicit tobacco, which is often linked to drugs, human trafficking and prostitution; notes that while the risks of smoking are well documented, unlicensed and unregulated tobacco can contain products which cause additional harm to human health; further notes that the sale of illicit tobacco undermines the impact of tax increases on reducing consumption and disproportionately impacts young and vulnerable people in deprived communities; and welcomes campaigns to raise awareness of this issue in local communities, including the Lancashire Evening Post's Don't Let Them Make A Packet campaign.