Illicit tobacco is a major cause of premature death, disease and health inequalities. It is now believed that one in six cigarettes and over half of hand rolled tobacco is now smuggled or fake.

The main section of society to lose out in the war against illicit tobacco is children. More and more children and young people are getting hooked on smoking through the sale of cigarettes in so called 'tab houses'.

Trading officials say that up to 30% of young people admit to buying cheap and illicit tobacco; much of which has been smuggled into this country.

The cigarettes are often sold from private homes in deprived areas where there are no age checks. These sales are creating a new generation of smokers struggling in the economic climate.

Daniel Chapelle from Suffolk Stop Smoking says: "This means these kids start smoking earlier and smoke more. The people who are selling from so called tab houses don't care who they sell to".

The types of cigarettes being sold include duty free cigarettes that should be for personal use only, fake versions of well-known brands and 'cheap whites' cigarettes aimed specifically at the black market.

Tobacco smuggling is thought to cost the UK economy around £3billion every year in lost tax revenue. Meanwhile customs officers have seized an estimated 120 million cigarettes smuggled into the Irish Republic. It is believed that the majority of the Palace and Chelsea brands were destined for the UK market.