Crimestoppers Campaign

Crimestoppers’ national campaign is challenging the long‑held perception that illegal tobacco is a harmless bargain, making clear that it is a criminal commodity that directly funds serious organised crime in affected communities.

Visible across neighbourhoods targeted by organised criminals, the campaign shows how profits from smuggled, counterfeit, and unlawfully sold tobacco, often sold at heavily discounted prices, are channelled into drug dealing, people trafficking, weapons smuggling, and money laundering, driving increased harm and violence in local areas.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, over 1.3 billion illegal cigarettes were seized by UK authorities

Illegal tobacco covers any cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco that are sold unlawfully – for example, products smuggled in without UK duty paid, imitation brands, or fakes made purely for the black market. These unlawful sales often happen in back rooms of shops, market stalls, private homes, vehicles or online, away from proper checks and safety standards.

The campaign calls for the public to share any information they have about illegal tobacco, reassuring them they can do so safely and anonymously to help disrupt organised crime.

Speak up 100% anonymously

Crimestoppers is an independent charity. When you contact us, you stay 100% anonymous – we will never ask for your name or trace your call or online form. You can safely share information about unlawful or shady tobacco sales 24/7, 365 days a year.

Your information could:

• Help seize illegal products and close down illegal sellers.
• Protect children and young people from being drawn into smoking or exploited by criminal gangs.
• Protect your community from the wider harms that accompany illegal tobacco
• Disrupt the organised crime groups using illegal tobacco profits to fund other serious offences.

If you know, or suspect, that someone is selling illegal, or fake tobacco, tell Crimestoppers online or by phone today. 

Together, we can keep illegal tobacco out of our communities and make streets, homes and workplaces safer for everyone. 

To give information anonymously please visit Giving information anonymously | Crimestoppers