Independent retailers have slammed price rises announced by all the major tobacco companies, warning they will lead to more smuggling. Rothmans and Imperial Tobacco plan identical price rises effective from January 31. Gallaher is following suit on February 13. All three groups are adding 5p to the rsp of a packet of 20 cigarettes. Sub Budwal, who runs Booker 2000 prize winning c-store Quencher in Eccles Hill, Bradford, said: "It is a seasonal increase that we'll all have to live with. It is another reason for smokers to turn to the duty free market and to bootleggers for supplies." And Les Gwynne who runs Costcutter store J Gwynne and sons in Talgarth, Powys, Wales, said: "It beats me how the tobacco manufacturers can get away with year on year price rises when, in other sectors, prices are going down. There is bound to be a saturation point." A wholesaler said: "It seems strange to put prices up when one third of cigarettes smoked in the UK is imported illegally." Mike Belcher, public affairs manager for Rothman, said: "It is normal practice to check prices regularly. This increase comes to counter rising costs and inflation. "We timed the increases to avoid the Budget time of year when smokers are hit hardest. We expect Gordon Brown to put prices up again this year ­ they have been raised by 5% above inflation in the last budgets." An extra 6p goes on Rothmans Royal 24 and its 24 Lights brands. Pipe tobacco is going up 5p for 25g and 10p for 50g, and hand rolling tobacco is up 3p for 12.5g, 6p for 25g and 10p for 50g with some exceptions. Cigars are going up between 2p and 10p. {{NEWS }}