London unites to stamp out illegal tobacco

Posted on 10th July 20177th December 2022 by LTS Communications

A new campaign has been launched across the capital by London Councils and London Trading Standards in partnership with Public Health to stamp out illegal tobacco.

Awareness-raising roadshows will visit locations across London in July as part of the campaign to highlight the harm caused by the sale of illegal or cheap tobacco.

The campaign aims to improve the public’s understanding of the different types of illegal tobacco and the consequences of supporting the trade. Dogs will also be present at the roadshows to help start conversations with residents, during which they will be told how to identify illegal tobacco and where to report concerns.

It is estimated that criminal networks are making over £100 million a year from the trade in London, with a third of London smokers saying they were offered illegal tobacco in the last year.

The products are unregulated, untaxed and often sold under-the-counter, which means they are available at ‘pocket money prices’, making it easier for children to buy them and to start smoking from a young age.

Councillor Kevin Davis, London Councils Executive member for health, said:

“Illegal tobacco creates a lot of problems in London, such as encouraging young people to get hooked on cigarettes and undermining people’s efforts to give up smoking.

“London Boroughs are already playing their part in stamping out the sale and distribution of these products, but this co-ordinated campaign will improve resident’s awareness of the consequences of supporting this trade, and help them recognise and report illegal tobacco when they encounter it.

“With Londoners on our side, we will be one step closer to bringing this industry to its knees.”

Steve Playle, spokesperson for London Trading Standards, said:

“Trading Standards Officers across London are at the forefront of the battle to crack down on illegal tobacco. We work hard to advise businesses of their responsibilities but take robust action to identify those criminals who flout the law and bring them before the Courts. It is important for this work to be targeted to protect the health and well-being of Londoners and we hope that the roadshows will encourage more intelligence to be gathered.”

Lynn Faulds Wood, London Trading Standards Ambassador, said:

“The sale of dodgy cigarettes and tobacco are simply making it harder for people to quit a habit that is the biggest single contributor to premature death in the UK. We all have a moral duty to shop those criminals breaking the law and I know that our fantastic Trading Standards teams will deal with any information provided by the public.”

Telltale signs of illegal tobacco include:

Packets with foreign language health warnings
Packets with no picture health warnings
Being much cheaper than normal cigarettes (i.e. £3.50 – £5.00 per pack of 20)
Unusual or foreign brand names, such as Jin Ling – or those from Russia and the Far East.
Being sold in unusual locations, i.e. pubs, private houses, ice cream vans, burger vans

If Londoners see any tobacco products that match the description above or have information which may be useful, they are advised to call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or report it using the online using London Trading Standards anonymous reporting tool.

Read more about the roadshow campaign and see the dogs in action here.