Hello,
I need someone to please clarify the cigarette policy. My mother is a heavy smoker (unfortunately) and I read on the UK border patrol website that it's a max of 400 cigarettes (2 cartons) but it didn't specify if it's per person or per family. The last thing I need is to be stopped by customs for bringing more than allowed.
Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks!
200 cigarettes per person 17 or over. Over that amount requires a duty payment of 16.5% of the retail price plus £3.79 per a packet of 20, plus 20% VAT on the whole amount - ie not worth it!
Awesome! Thank you for clarifying.
Is there a reason you're just not buying them when you're there rather than bringing them in?
Please note that there's a smoking ban in London. No smoking in pubs, bars, restaurants, churches, museums, theaters, tube stations, etc. Virtually ANY enclosed are except private homes and hotels which have rooms for smokers. Smoking is also restricted in some outdoor areas. Might have your mother read up on the ban which was instituted in 2007.
Thanks for letting me know about the strict smoking policy.
She will buy them in Florida as it's cheaper than buying them in NYC. I'm not a smoker at all so she mentioned she rather buy them before she flies up to NYC.
Thanks for all the information provided here.
Varies by the brand and shop of course but the typical UK price of 20 cigarettes is £8.50, ie around $13.
The advantage of bringing in American packaged cigarettes into the UK is not having to look at the EU tobacco product directive graphic packaging. Those European tobacco product pictorial warning label are nasty and look like they would take the fun out of smoking.
$13 are NYC prices... I believe she gets a carton for 59 near her home in Florida.
As for the graphic image, I know exactly what you're talking about.. I agree, I can't imagine the joy of smoking with those images.
Great information I received. Thanks again!
"Those European tobacco product pictorial warning label are nasty and look like they would take the fun out of smoking."
Well, I would guess that's the point of them.
I just gotta ask. How is your mom going to survive that long flight over the Atlantic without the nicotine?
(This is from someone who's mom was also a heavy smoker from the time she was 17 until she was diagnosed with emphysema at 74.)
I asked her the same question, she said she already bought Nicotine gum and candy. Also, she mentioned she is smoking "less" to prepare herself.
"Those European tobacco product pictorial warning label are nasty and look like they would take the fun out of smoking."
Well, I would guess that's the point of them.
Nancy, spot on. The only tobacco advertising you see anymore are the anti-smoking ones.
As people have said above it is increasingly difficult to find smoking areas, indoor smoking in public places is banned, so be prepared for not that pleasant places as the only places you can smoke.
...difficult to find smoking areas....
Being a nonsmoker I appreciate the norm being nonsmoking hotels and nonsmoking restaurants. Now its a challenge for smokers to find public and nonpublic spaces to indulge.
Banned everywhere except the outdoor seating areas of French cafes and restaurants. This is because the previous French president buckled at the last minute during the legislative process giving the lovely outdoor space over to the smokers. Bring mom to France. She'll be in her element.
"I just gotta ask. How is your mom going to survive that long flight over the Atlantic without the nicotine?"
Pris, you may want to suggest that she get some nicotine patches from her doctor. I assume those are still available by prescription only. She will need these on the flight over. Also, if you go to a restaurant, she will want to slap on a patch so she will be able to get through dinner without a craving for the cigs. When you go to a museum, the patch will enable her to enjoy the exhibits for a couple of hours without having to dash outside for a smoke.
