Counterfeit Cigarettes on the Market

What are counterfeit cigarettes?

Counterfeit cigarettes are illegally manufactured fakes designed to pass as genuine branded products. The packaging, logos and overall appearance mimic well known brands, but the cigarettes themselves are produced in unregulated facilities, typically abroad, and sold without any quality checks or tax payments.

Counterfeit cigarettes are part of the larger illegal tobacco market, which also includes smuggled genuine products brought into the UK to dodge duty. Both types cause the same basic problems: lost tax revenue for the government and potential harm to public health.

Fake cigarettes are often sold at noticeably low prices, which can make them attractive to buyers looking for a bargain. They may appear in local shops, markets, car boot sales or through social media. These low prices pose significant health and legal risks.

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Why counterfeit cigarettes can be more harmful

All cigarettes damage your health. That much is established. But counterfeit versions may carry additional risks because they are unlikely to follow any regulatory standards.

Legitimate cigarettes sold in the UK must comply with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, which implement EU Tobacco Products Directive requirements. These cover what ingredients can be used, how products are packaged, and certain safety requirements. Counterfeit products follow none of these rules. There is simply no way of knowing what has gone into them or how they were produced.

When Trading Standards and border agencies seize fake cigarettes and send them for analysis, the results often reveal unpleasant surprises:

• Higher than expected levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide
• Tobacco bulked out with other plant material, dust or floor sweepings
• Traces of mould, insect parts or rodent droppings
• Unidentified chemicals not found in regulated products

The lack of quality control means each batch can vary significantly. One pack might be relatively close to what you would expect. Another could contain almost anything.

There have also been cases where counterfeit cigarettes failed basic fire safety standards. Legitimate cigarettes sold in the UK must meet Reduced Ignition Propensity (RIP) standards, introduced in the EU in 2011, which require cigarettes to self extinguish if left unattended. Fakes may not meet this requirement, raising the risk of accidental fires.

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How to spot counterfeit cigarettes

Telling fake cigarettes apart from genuine ones is not always straightforward, especially as counterfeiters often closely mimic packaging. However, there are some common signs that may suggest a product is not legitimate.

Price is often the first clue. If cigarettes are being sold well below the usual retail price, there is a reasonable chance they are either counterfeit or have been smuggled into the country without duty being paid. Both are illegal.

Packaging can also give things away. Look for spelling mistakes, blurry printing, colours that seem slightly off, or health warnings that do not match current UK requirements. Since May 2017, plain packaging regulations require all cigarettes to be sold in standardised olive green packaging with no branding other than the brand name in a standard plain typeface, along with large pictorial health warnings.

The cigarettes themselves may feel different. Fakes sometimes have a looser fill, uneven tobacco, or a noticeably harsh taste. The filter might feel flimsy or poorly attached.

If you buy cigarettes from anywhere other than a registered retailer, the risk of getting counterfeit products increases significantly.

Reporting suspected counterfeit tobacco

Buying or selling counterfeit cigarettes is illegal. If you suspect a shop or individual is selling fake tobacco products, you can report it.

In England and Wales, reports can be made to your local Trading Standards service or through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline. In Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland. In Northern Ireland, reports can be made via Consumerline. You can also report illegal tobacco anonymously through Crimestoppers.

HMRC runs a fraud hotline for reporting tobacco smuggling and duty evasion. Details of how to report are available on GOV.UK.

Local authorities and enforcement agencies do act on reports. Information from the public helps them identify where illegal tobacco is being sold and take action against those involved.

If you have bought cigarettes and believe they may be counterfeit, do not smoke them. The safest option is to dispose of them and avoid the seller in future.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Authenticity Red Flag Checker lets you identify warning signs that a product is likely counterfeit based on your observations. Try it now →