Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what research his Department has conducted or commissioned on the effectiveness of tobacco licensing schemes in tackling the illicit market in tobacco; and what the outcomes of such research were.

HMRC has not conducted or commissioned any research into the effectiveness of tobacco licensing schemes in tackling the illicit market in tobacco.

The World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Illicit Trade Protocol, to which the UK is a signatory, requires parties to consider whether to introduce tobacco licensing schemes for participants in the supply chain.

HMRC is currently undertaking a public consultation on the possible benefits of licensing participants in the supply chain in tackling the illicit trade in tobacco products. The consultation closes on 20 May and also covers the implementation of a licensing scheme for tobacco manufacturing machinery, a further requirement of the Protocol.

HMRC will publish a summary of responses later in 2016.

The consultation is published on GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/503011/Tobacco_Illicit_Trade_Protocol___licensing_of_equipment_and_the_supply_chain.pdf