Attitudes And Exposure To Illicit Tobacco In England, 2022

Davies, Nathan; Langley, Tessa; Jayes, Leah; Bains, Manpreet; Brown, Jamie; Arnott, Deborah; Bogdanovica, Ilze

Abstract

Introduction
The UK has achieved reductions in illicit tobacco (IT) market size and share. However, there remains a 17.7% tobacco duty gap, contributing to health inequalities. In January 2024, the UK government announced a new strategy to control IT, along with provision of new funding.

Methods
A representative cross-sectional survey of adults in England ran in April 2022 to evaluate attitudes and exposure to IT. Tobacco smokers were asked questions about encounters with IT, while all participants answered questions on knowledge and perspectives on IT.

Results
Of 262 tobacco smokers, 18.3% (95% CI 13.8% - 23.6%) had come across IT in the past year. Men had four times the odds of encountering IT recently than women. Among 1,767 adults responding to questions on IT, two-thirds agreed IT harmed children, and more than half agreed IT was linked to organised crime. Younger adults, smokers and those in lower socio-economic groups were less likely to agree IT was harmful.

Conclusions

Exposure to IT, especially among younger males, remains a concern. While most of the public acknowledge its harm, this is not universal, and some population groups are less likely to do so.

Implications
The study highlights persistent exposure to illicit tobacco in England, especially among younger males, and varying perceptions of illicit tobacco harm across socio-economic groups. Tackling illicit tobacco requires collaboration between health and enforcement agencies, independent of the tobacco industry's influence. Strategies should include components that shift demand for illicit tobacco and denormalise its presence in communities, particularly in lower socio-economic areas with higher smoking prevalence.

Citation

Davies, N., Langley, T., Jayes, L., Bains, M., Brown, J., Arnott, D., & Bogdanovica, I. (2024). Attitudes And Exposure To Illicit Tobacco In England, 2022. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 26(11), 1591-1594. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae118

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 15, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 16, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-11
• Deposit Date: May 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 20, 2024
• Journal: Nicotine and Tobacco Research
• Print ISSN: 1462-2203
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-994X
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1591-1594
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae118
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/34871807
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article/26/11/1591/7675241