Illicit Tobacco: A Warning Sign in the Cost of Living Crisis The recent study led by UCL and funded by Cancer Research UK has shed light on a concerning trend: the soaring sales of illicit cigarettes in the UK, particularly among smokers struggling to make ends meet.
As the cost of living crisis deepens, more people are turning to cheap and often hazardous alternatives. The findings are stark: nearly a quarter (23.
1%) of current smokers admit to having used illicit sources at least once in the previous six months, a significant increase from 12. 2% in 2023.