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Forest accuses Chancellor of being "heartless and cruel"

Wed 15th March, 2023

Forest has accused the Chancellor of being "heartless and cruel" after Jeremy Hunt increased cigarette duty by over 12%.
 
Simon Clark, director of Forest, said, "Punishing smokers for their habit during a cost of living crisis is heartless and cruel.
 
"It discriminates against poorer smokers and will drive many more consumers to the black market.
 
"This is bad news for legitimate, law-abiding retailers, and bad news for the Treasury which could lose billions of pounds in revenue if more smokers buy their tobacco from illicit traders."

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