Home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced proposals to toughen enforcement by doubling the maximum closure period for illicit retailers, as part of efforts to tackle organised crime on British high streets.
Illegal tobacco is a significant problem driving this illicit activity on high streets and has been linked to the funding of organized crime.
Sustained activity by JTI UK’s ‘It Costs More Than You Think’ campaign has highlighted the scale and impact of the illegal tobacco trade on Britain’s high streets.
Test purchasing operations across the country, including in the Home Secretary’s Birmingham Ladywood constituency, have shown the extent to which illegal tobacco products are widely available at prices points significantly below legitimate products.
More than half (53%) of independent tobacco retailers visited in Shabana Mahmood’s constituency in February 2026 were found to be selling illegal tobacco.
Nicky Small, corporate affairs & communications director at JTI, said: “The proposal to allow authorities to shut down illegal shops for longer is a welcome move by the Home Secretary. It sends a clear signal to retailers breaking the law that selling illegal products will not be tolerated.
“However, more is needed. Illegal tobacco is not a victimless trade. It undercuts legitimate retailers, deprives the Treasury of £2bn revenue and is increasingly linked to wider criminality on Britain’s high streets.
“Without stronger penalties for selling and distributing illegal tobacco, coupled with a nationwide licensing scheme and significantly increased funding for enforcement activity, the problem will continue to grow.
“JTI calls on the government to attach fines of up to £10,000 to closure orders, that must be paid before the order is lifted. Ringfencing those fines to reinvest in Trading Standards resources will self-fund further enforcement. It’s times to shut this illegal activity down”
