Huge haul of illegal cigarettes and tobacco goes up in smoke
Thousands of illegal tobacco products have been destroyed following a major crackdown on illicit tobacco sales in Darlington.
More than 68,000 cigarettes and 103kg of hand rolling tobacco, seized over a two year period by Darlington Trading Standards in conjunction with Durham Police, have gone up in smoke today thanks to County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.
The haul from shops and private sellers included counterfeit, illegally imported and incorrectly labelled tobacco. It was destroyed at the fire service’s training centre at Bowburn, near Durham.
Shaun Trevor, of Darlington Borough Council’s trading standards team, said: “People may think illegal tobacco dealers are providing a service, helping people to pay less for their cigarettes. The sad truth is that the only people who benefit are those doing the selling. Tobacco kills half of its long term users and the sale of illegal tobacco creates the knock on effect of criminal activity in local communities. If the cigarettes and tobacco destroyed today had been sold at normal retail prices, the illegal haul would amount to in excess of £75,000 in value.”
The destruction of the illegal tobacco comes as many people across the region quit smoking as part of the ‘Stoptober’ campaign. Stoptober is the 28-day stop smoking challenge from Public Health England. Rachel Osbaldeston, Public Health Portfolio Lead at Darlington Borough Council, explained: “Stopping smoking is the best thing a smoker can do to improve their health. Quitting is not easy but Stoptober gives the perfect opportunity to try. The campaign provides a range of free support all found on the new Stoptober website."
Dawn Taylor, principal officer for trading standards, said: “Darlington Trading Standards is part of a collaboration of partners that helps people lead tobacco free lives and strives to make the Borough a tobacco free place. Counterfeit and illicit tobacco sold cheaply by rogue traders is hampering efforts to reduce smoking. The illegal trade is also funding organised criminal gangs. Darlington Trading Standards will take strong enforcement action against any trader that stocks their shelves with illegal tobacco, not thinking twice about selling it cheaply to children and others.”
Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “Children and young smokers are often targeted by people who sell illegal cigarettes, making it even easier for them to get hooked on smoking. The people making money out of this do not care who they sell to. Cheap cigarettes also make it harder for people to quit and remain smoke free.”
Chris Hockaday, senior fire safety officer for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are pleased to have been able to help today and to safely destroy these illegal cigarettes at our training centre using breathing apparatus.”
Anyone with concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco in their area can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer service on 03454 040506 or report it via the website www.keep-it-out.co.uk