Anti-smoking organisations today said the blackmarket trade in Newcastle had shrunk with less than one in 10 cigarettes bought on Tyneside found to be counterfeit.
Tory cigarette packaging rebel Priti Patel is ex-tobacco lobbyist
A Conservative MP who is leading a rebellion against plans to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes is a former tobacco lobbyist and chairs a parliamentary group whose secretariat is provided by two tobacco industry-funded organisations.
How Marlboro money paid for Commons launch of tobacco study
The chairman of an influential House of Commons select committee investigating the tobacco trade hosted a parliamentary reception funded by a cigarette giant, the Observer has established.
North West: Renewed plans for plain cigarette packaging welcomed
Anti-smoking lobbyists have welcomed much-delayed government plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging.
North West: Illegal tobacco haul seized in campaign
Thousands of illegal cigarettes have been seized in St Helens as part of a campaign to tackle rogue traders.
Scotland: Cigs gang jailed over £28m fraud
Seven men have been jailed after HM Revenue and Customs smashed a £28million cigarette smuggling ring.
North East: Man could face jail for selling illegal cigarettes and alcohol
A FORMER greengrocer who turned to illegal cigarettes and alcohol as a more lucrative trade has been order to pay £216,500 within six months or serve a further two and-a-half jail sentence.