The proportion of smokers purchasing illicit cigarettes through informal channels has nearly doubled since 2023, according to new research, raising concerns about the impact of rising living costs on tobacco consumption patterns. The study, conducted by University College London (UCL) and funded by Cancer Research UK, analyzed survey responses from nearly 10,000 smokers aged 16 and older.

While most respondents—77 percent—reported buying tobacco through legal outlets, almost a quarter (23 percent) admitted to obtaining cigarettes from illicit sources at least once in the previous six months, up from 12 percent the year before. These sources included purchasing cheap tobacco from friends, buying under-the-counter products at newsagents or corner shops, and acquiring cigarettes from local sellers outside conventional retail settings. Some participants also reported buying cigarettes at pubs or from street vendors offering discounted products.

Professor Sarah Jackson of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care noted that the increase in illicit purchases may be linked to the broader financial pressures faced by many households in recent years. “Our findings suggest that more smokers are turning to illicit sources of tobacco compared with 2023,” she said. “People may be attempting to reduce the cost of smoking through various means, including switching to cheaper legal options, cutting back on consumption, or quitting altogether.”

The research, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, also highlighted concerns regarding underage access to tobacco. Among survey participants aged 16 to 17 who had bought cigarettes, 74 percent said they purchased them from corner shops or newsagents, despite age restrictions on sales. Jackson expressed concern over these findings and pointed to the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which incrementally raises the legal age for tobacco purchase, as a potential measure to curb youth access. However, she emphasized that effective enforcement of regulations will be essential to achieving this goal.

Despite the rise in the number of smokers buying illicit tobacco, the researchers cautioned that the overall size of the illicit market may not have expanded. The survey did not assess the frequency of illicit purchases, thus limiting conclusions about the scale of illicit tobacco consumption.

Experts urged policymakers not to become complacent about previous successes in controlling illicit tobacco sales, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to prevent growth in this area amid changing economic conditions.