Member

We also heard concerns that the smoke-free generation will cause a rise in the illicit tobacco market, but the Bill will prevent people ever becoming addicted to smoking in the first place. As the total market for tobacco products shrinks, demand for the illicit market shrinks. I remind your Lordships that we have experience to draw on: when the age of sale was increased from 16 to 18, it meant that 1.3 million more people were no longer able to be sold cigarettes. However, the number of illicit cigarettes consumed is estimated to have fallen by 25%. There is no immediate connection.