Illegal tobacco is being sold on high streets in Coventry
It’s damaging the local economy, burdening retailers, and bringing crime to your community.
Want to help put a stop to the illegal tobacco trade?
Click below to urge your MP to take action against illegal tobacco harming businesses and communities. Find out who to contact here, or email your local representative now:
The scale of the problem
In Coventry, illegal tobacco is already doing damage.
64%
of independent stores selling tobacco products visited in Coventry were found to be selling illegal tobacco.[1]
of residents surveyed in Coventry are very concerned by the impact of the illegal tobacco trade on crime and violent or anti-social behaviour in communities.[2]
of residents surveyed in Coventry believe raising prices and taxes on legal tobacco are pushing people in their local area towards criminal behaviour, such as buying illegal tobacco.[2]
of residents surveyed in Coventry believe politicians are not doing enough to tackle illegal tobacco trading.[2]
The impact on your community
Illegal tobacco isn't a victimless crime. It's a visible sign that something is broken. An undercover operative visited 28 independent retailers that sell tobacco products in Coventry and found that illegal tobacco was being sold in 64% of those stores.[1]
This is not an isolated or marginal problem. It points to illegal trade operating openly within the local area.
Organised crime is the real winner
The damage goes far beyond someone trying to save a few pounds. The illegal tobacco trade is dominated by organised crime gangs, often operating across borders and involved in other serious crimes, including exploitation and trafficking.[3]
- 75% of residents surveyed in Coventry are very concerned that the illegal tobacco trade is funding organised crime.[2]
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A problem residents feel and notice
Taken together, the picture in Coventry is clear. Illegal tobacco is:
- Threatening the survival of local businesses
- Fuelling organised crime
- Damaging the local economy
Throughout 2026, undercover operatives are visiting stores across the UK to understand the scale of illegal tobacco on your high street.
Want to help put a stop to the illegal tobacco trade?
Download our template letter to urge your MP to take action against illegal tobacco harming businesses and communities. Find out who to contact here.
IT'S TIME TO SHUT IT DOWN.
Seen something suspicious?
You don't need to confront anyone.
You can report it anonymously, quickly and safely.
If you're aware of anybody selling illegal tobacco you should report this using the anonymous form above, or by contacting HM Revenue & Customs' Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887, Trading Standards (through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline) on 0808 223 1133 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Our research shows clear consensus: people want action on illegal tobacco.
[1] Test purchasing was conducted by trained undercover operatives commissioned by JTI UK. A total of 28 independent retailers that sell tobacco products were visited in Coventry in July 2026.
[2] This data is based on an online survey that was conducted for JTI UK by an independent British Polling Council accredited research agency between January 7 and January 29 2026, involving a sample of 15,228 UK adults aged 19 and over. To ensure the findings are representative of the UK general population, the data was weighted by age, gender and region. The data for Coventry was collected from 106 adults living in the ITL3 classified Coventry area.
[3] HM Revenue & Customs & Border Force. (2024, January 29). Stubbing out the problem: A new strategy to tackle illicit tobacco. GOV.UK. Updated March 1, 2024.
£1.7bn figure based on HMRC's tax gap estimates for Excise Duty and VAT losses 2024 - 2025. Measuring_tax_gap_online_tables_2026.xlsx (select the table for 2026 and go to table 3.4 See lines 8 and 9 combined for 2024-2025). Live clock counter number based on this source.