The number of cigarettes imported into Britain has decreased by almost half over the last decade as smoking continues to decline, The Times reported.
The volume of duty-paid cigarettes fell to 24.5 billion sticks in the 12 months to the end of September, down 47 per cent from 46.1 billion during the same period ten years ago. Imports of cigars also fell by 47 per cent to 260,000 kg but hand-rolled tobacco rose by 17 per cent to 6.5 million kg. According to the report, government interventions like higher taxes and the 2006 smoking ban have helped to reduce the number of smokers. While 20 per cent of the adult population in the UK smoked in 2010, the figure has fallen to 15.3 per cent.
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