As part of its ‘Partnering for Success’ initiative, Imperial Tobacco has released a video offering guidance to the trade on the EU Tobacco Products Directive (EUTPD II) and standardised packaging legislation.

The video can be viewed on the company’s trade site www.imperial-trade.co.uk, and via its retailer reward programme www.imperial-ignite.co.uk.

The video explains how the impending legislation is likely to affect the tobacco category – from the key differences between current and standardised packs to significant dates. It also addresses issues concerning potential retailer and customer confusion.

Sophie Hogg, head of sales and marketing at Imperial Tobacco UK&I, says: “Partnering for Success was created to help guide the trade through potential upcoming changes in the tobacco category. We believe our video offers a great way to provide further clarity around the legislation, the ways it might impact both retailers and adult smokers, and what Imperial is doing to provide reassurance and support to the trade.”

Partnering for Success START packs – which have recently been updated with a standardised packaging case study in Australia plus Imperial Tobacco’s latest anti-illicit trade successes – can be downloaded from the same websites.

The company has also unveiled two new online presences for its anti-illicit trade campaign, ‘Suspect it? Report it!’ These are the website www.suspect-it-report-it.co.uk and a Twitter feed at @suspect_report.

The website poses the question: ‘Why should you care about illegal tobacco?’, and aims to become a digital focal point for the fight against the illicit tobacco trade in the UK. A dedicated newsfeed provides visitors with daily developments on illicit tobacco, from regional, national and international perspectives. Visitors can also view and download ‘Suspect It? Report It!’ posters, videos and infographics, and there is a contact form for those who want to find out more about Imperial Tobacco’s efforts to stem the tide of illegal tobacco.

Peter Nelson, Imperial Tobacco anti-illicit trade manager, says: “The Suspect It? Report It! campaign has helped spread and drive the message that the manufacture and sale of illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime as some contend. In fact, it is a series of substantial illegal businesses that drain over £40 million per week (HMRC) from the Treasury, puts retail businesses at risk and brings crime into our communities. It presents a shared problem for UK Government, law enforcement, industry and society, and we have a responsibility to work collaboratively to counter its increasing menace.

“We encourage anybody affected by this illicit trade to visit www.suspect-it-report-it.co.uk, learn more by absorbing our wealth of digital materials, and act.”

Anybody with suspicions about the sale of illegal tobacco should call either the Customs Hotline on (0800) 59 5000, or contact their local trading standards officer or the police.

Tel: Imperial Tobacco 0117-963 6636