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No ifs…no butts – report illegal tobacco

by mikebell on 22 July, 2019

A new website has been launched which allows people to report the sale of illegal tobacco anonymously .

The website was launched by Trading Standards South West and marks a significant step forward in partnership working between Trading Standards services in the area.

As well as offering people the chance to report illegal sales, the site also includes a comprehensive information page, outlining everything you need to know about illegal tobacco and the negative impact it has on society.

Many illegal cigarettes are unlikely to comply with safety standards and they will often not self-extinguish when not continually smoked, greatly increasing the fire safety risk at home. They are also likely to exceed the legally permitted carbon monoxide and tar levels (in some cases by up to 80%) while not containing the amount of nicotine stated on the pack.

Profits made from the sale of illegal tobacco often fund other serious and organised crime such as modern slavery, people trafficking and drugs.

In addition to its connection to organised criminal groups, illegal tobacco is available at pocket money prices, sold to children and often fails other vital safety standards.

“I welcome this new website,” said Cllr Mike Bell, North Somerset Council’s executive member for public health and regulatory services. “It’s important that we understand the true extent of the damage illegal tobacco has on society.

“It’s also important that we know how and where we can report information about illegal tobacco. Trading Standards receive information regarding the sale and supply of illegal tobacco from a variety of sources, including from members of the public, who may hold vital information crucial to an investigation.”

The new site also brings together the current South West illegal tobacco Facebook @SWIllegaltobacco and Twitter @SWIllegaltobac accounts.

To find out more visit www.SWIllegalTobacco.info

   1 Comment

One Response

  1. J Royston says:

    Your blog says nothing about the millions in revenue that cigarette sales bring to the Treasury. The price of a packet of cigarettes consists of almost 95% tax.
    When ordinary people return from a holiday abroad they bring back a few cartons of cigarettes for their own smoking.
    To lump normal people in with illegal cigarette importers is wrong.
    Why do you label smokers as society lepers; smokers have a freedom of choice.
    You would be better devoting your time to putting more police on the streets of our town on foot patrols rather than place them in cars.
    I have lived in Weston for over 16 years and I have never seen a policeman or policewoman walk down my street.
    You as a councilor know what is going on in Weston; drugs, violence, drinking establishments all out of control and yet nothing is done as far as I can see.
    Please do what you were elected to do.

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