More than a quarter of tobacco smoked in the UK is non-duty paid, according to estimates from Japan Tobacco International. JTI found that on average, 27% of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco avoided UK taxes. And it warned that expected tax hikes in the Budget on March 21 could encourage more duty fraud by raising tobacco prices even further ahead of other EU countries.  UK managing…

Smokers’ lobbying body Forest is to launch a campaign against plain packaging of tobacco – called Hands Off Our Packs. The body has created a website where people opposed to plain packaging can petition the government when it begins a UK-wide public consultation on the issue this spring. Earlier this month an alliance of tobacco control groups launched a campaign called Plain Packs Protect, in…

JTI has launched its first value roll-your-own tobacco brand – Sterling Rolling. The launch aims to build on the success of Sterling cigarettes – the UK’s leading value cigarette brand, according to Nielsen. Sterling Rolling will be available in 12.5g and 25g packs, rrp £3.37 and £6.60 respectively. JTI communications head Jeremy Blackburn said: “Sterling is currently the UK’s number one value cigarette brand, growing…

Cellar Trends has launched a jar of maraschino cherries marinated in sugar syrup and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur. The cherries come from Luxardo’s orchards in northern Italy, and can be used in cocktails or simply eaten. Luxardo brand manager Craig Chapman said: “Garnishes are a high-impact ingredient, and strong demand from bars has led to the launch of Luxardo Maraschino Cherries in the UK.  “The distinct…

Independents stand to net £1 billion in sales when the tobacco display ban comes into force next year. Booker predicts legislation which will prevent larger stores from openly displaying products could result in a significant windfall for smaller shops, which will not have to comply with the restrictions until 2015. The wholesaler will be running mini conferences in its 172 branches to help independents plan…

The figure was presented by Exchequer Secretary David Gauke in response to a written question submitted in Parliament by Conservative MP Dr Sarah Wollaston. Of the 685 staff, 153 are involved in detection work, 360 are assigned to investigation duties and 172 are focused on intelligence gathering. Their combined salaries come to £34.1 million, averaging at just under £50,000 per employee. HMRC spent £170,000 on…

The study, carried out by Lancaster Environment Centre, calculates that PET packaging could be reduced by 84% if consumers made their fizzy drinks from concentrate at home. Each plastic Sodastream bottle replaces nearly 10 regular bottles, the study said. Switching to Sodastream would cut greenhouse gases by 600 tonnes and water use by 66 billion litres a year, it claimed. Sodastream marketing director Fiona Hope…