SMOKERS but not drinkers benefit from new legislation regarding limits to what cross-Channel trippers are allowed to bring home without risk of confiscation and a court appearance.

Economic Secretary John Healey, minister responsible for Customs & Excise, has announced that guide lines were being raised after a lengthy consultation period.

Treasury officials denied this was in response to criticism of trippers being harshly targeted by Customs officers.

The raised allowance is based on a 20-a-day smoker buying enough cigarettes to last them six months which works out at 3,200 cigarettes compared to the previous limit of 800. Rolling tobacco to gives 3,600 generously-sized hand-made cigarettes has been increased from one to three kilos.

New regulations will abolish their burden of proof on shoppers to show the tobacco is for the personal use and, instead, require Customs to show that the goods were intended for sale.

But at the same time Mr Healey announced a further crack-down on large-scale and repeat offenders. In a Commons written answer he declared: "The measure I am announcing will help make the distinction between smugglers and honest shoppers even clearer.

"The measures make clear Customs activity is legal and fair but tough on those who attempt to smuggle."

The Treasury, in conjunction with the Lord Chancellor's Department, is to review the current appeals procedure with the aim of simplifying it.

Permitted alcohol quantities remain as 100 litres of beer, and 90 litres of wine - although the distinction of a maximum of 60 litres of sparkling wine has been dropped - 20 litres of fortified wine and 10 litres of spirits.