The UK's first-ever large-scale summit on how to reduce the supply and consumption of smuggled and counterfeit tobacco was held in Perth last week without representation from tobacco manufacturers, who were barred.
Retailers, police and health representatives attended the event, which was organised by anti-tobacco lobby group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Scotland, but tobacco manufacturers were excluded.
Dirk Vennix, spokesman from the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, said he was disappointed that manufacturers had been unable to share their vast expertise on the problem, which costs the government and legitimate retailers thousands of pounds in lost revenue each year.
"We offered to present at the conference, but were refused. We even asked to attend as delegates, but this was also refused," he said.
"Tackling tobacco smuggling concerns us all and we are just as committed to the process as ASH or anybody else."
The summit's findings will be reported back to the Scottish government.
The event came in the same week as the UK's second largest tobacco manufacturer, JTI, published a 20-page booklet on the illicit trade, calling for greater co-operation between interested parties.
Tobacco Smuggling the UK Challenge aims to raise awareness of tobacco smuggling and outlines the steps that the tobacco industry is taking.
It also calls for greater retailer engagement. JTI's head of communications Jeremy Blackburn said: "Retailers can do more to protect their business from criminals who steal customers from them on a daily basis. If retailers know someone selling illegal product they should contact HMRC on 0800 595 00 or JTI on 0800 181 519."
JTI estimates that up to 17% of the cigarette market, and 54% of the total hand-rolling tobacco market, is smuggled.
Retailers, police and health representatives attended the event, which was organised by anti-tobacco lobby group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Scotland, but tobacco manufacturers were excluded.
Dirk Vennix, spokesman from the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, said he was disappointed that manufacturers had been unable to share their vast expertise on the problem, which costs the government and legitimate retailers thousands of pounds in lost revenue each year.
"We offered to present at the conference, but were refused. We even asked to attend as delegates, but this was also refused," he said.
"Tackling tobacco smuggling concerns us all and we are just as committed to the process as ASH or anybody else."
The summit's findings will be reported back to the Scottish government.
The event came in the same week as the UK's second largest tobacco manufacturer, JTI, published a 20-page booklet on the illicit trade, calling for greater co-operation between interested parties.
Tobacco Smuggling the UK Challenge aims to raise awareness of tobacco smuggling and outlines the steps that the tobacco industry is taking.
It also calls for greater retailer engagement. JTI's head of communications Jeremy Blackburn said: "Retailers can do more to protect their business from criminals who steal customers from them on a daily basis. If retailers know someone selling illegal product they should contact HMRC on 0800 595 00 or JTI on 0800 181 519."
JTI estimates that up to 17% of the cigarette market, and 54% of the total hand-rolling tobacco market, is smuggled.
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