It never fails to amaze me. HM Customs and Excise are at it again, stopping everyone in this country from getting the bargains that we are entitled to. The cost of running the country might in fact be out with the Governments budget, but do we have to pay the deficit?

The fact that we as a Country are part of the European Union and are entitled to free trade across Europe doesn't seem to matter to HM Customs & Excise. This "law unto itself" outfit are beginning to annoy the hell out of everyone who're trying to buy goods at "proper" prices from retailers across Europe by taxing the items that arrive in this country, even though all of these items are "Tax paid" under European law.

It's nothing less than extortion.

Consumable products such as cigarettes, tobacco, food and drink are the targets. It doesn't matter that we pay massive taxes in this country; our Government wants everything we have. That may on the face of it seem a little extreme, but is it?

I am a smoker and I buy my cigarettes online. It has been a turbulent time finding a good supplier. Every time I get a good on line tobacconist HM Customs & Excise come along and try to close the site. This causes all sorts of problems for the legitimate online business trying to sell their products as well as myself (the consumer). It's nothing short of bullying.

I recently found a website out there in cyber space that seems to have the situation in hand and sell their tobacco products online effortlessly. www.discountcigarettesuk.com a Spanish based company who clearly state the European laws in their FAQ section. The fact that our Government act illegally every time they force us to pay them tax for things we've already paid the tax makes me wonder!

People have been sent to prison for less. Maybe it's time to think about that.

Declan Keane is an unhappy member of the UK community. He is not an author or affiliated to any web site. He can be contacted by email: declan01@hotmail.com