EARLIER this year Imperial Tobacco launched the second phase of its anti-illicit-trade campaign – Suspect it? Report it!
And to support the campaign message, both to tobacco traders and to the wider public, materials were developed to highlight methods, channels and locations used by criminals to build illicit tobacco business.
The first scenario – depicted on posters and through trade press adverts – featured an illegal tab house, to highlight the threat they pose to communities and community businesses.
The latest stage uses images and a video to illustrate how smuggled tobacco is being brought into the UK through the country’s airports.
Imperial Tobacco argues that it’s vital that the trade and public stand up to illicit tobacco trading to protect lawful retailers and local communities from criminality. The film says: “Don’t turn a blind eye, speak up”.
Peter Nelson, Imperial Tobacco anti-illicit-trade manager, said: “This film shows the cold, harsh reality of what our law enforcement partners are up against in tackling these criminals. It’s imperative that the flow of illegal tobacco products does not undermine our legal supply chain.”
