Fines urged for buyers of illegal tobacco

Consumers buying illegal cigarettes should receive on-the-spot fines, said a member of a body seeking a crack down on smuggled goods.

Retailers Against Smuggling launched an awareness campaign on the effects of illegal tobacco yesterday, claiming it was hurting taxpayers financially and damaging the health of consumers.

The campaign has already run a number of large advertisements in the print media on the dangers of smoking illegal cigarettes, which can include material such as rat droppings and dust.