Illegal tobacco and vapes are a growing concern in Staffordshire, as evidenced by recent seizures worth £24,000 resulting from three raids at premises in Lichfield and Stafford in March. The seized items included 29,100 illicit cigarettes, 0.55kg of illicit hand rolling tobacco, and 2,064 illegal vapes, all of which were hidden in flats above the premises and ready to be sold to consumers. This operation was carried out by Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers, with support from Staffordshire Police and a specialist dog search team, as part of Operation CeCe, a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC to tackle the supply and sale of illegal tobacco.
Philip White, Deputy Leader at Staffordshire County Council, stated that the council’s Trading Standards officers have been working tirelessly with partner agencies to take these harmful products off the streets. While the availability of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes in Staffordshire may not be higher than in other areas, it remains a concern for officers. In fact, there has been a steady increase in seizures of counterfeit and oversized vapes, as well as those under recall. Since April 2022, over 9,684 illegal products with a street value of £128,106 have been seized by officers, many of which could have ended up in the hands of children if they had not been removed from the market.
The illegal trade in tobacco is not limited to Staffordshire or the UK alone. In the UK, it is estimated that about 1 in 10 cigarettes and half of all hand-rolling tobacco are not duty paid. This illegal trade also has strong links to organized crime and can have a devastating effect on public health. Therefore, the efforts of Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards service in uncovering illegal cigarettes and tobacco are crucial in curbing this illegal trade and protecting the public.
Impact of Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in Staffordshire
The seizure of illegal tobacco and vapes in Staffordshire highlights the ongoing challenge of combating the sale of such products in the region. The availability of these illegal products poses risks to public health, contributes to organized crime, and can have negative social and economic impacts on the community. Let’s take a closer look at the impact of illegal tobacco and vapes in Staffordshire:
Public Health Risks
Illegal tobacco and vapes may not undergo the same quality control and safety standards as legal products, which can pose serious health risks to consumers. Counterfeit and oversized vapes may contain harmful substances, and illegal cigarettes may not meet health and safety regulations, exposing smokers to dangerous chemicals. Moreover, the sale of these products to minors can have long-term health consequences, as young people are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine.
Link to Organized Crime
The illegal trade in tobacco and vapes has strong links to organized crime, as criminal networks often use these illegal products to generate profits and fund other illegal activities. This can contribute to the proliferation of criminal activities in the community, such as money laundering, fraud, and even violence. By seizing illegal tobacco and vapes, law enforcement agencies can disrupt the operations of criminal networks and reduce the negative impact of organized crime on the community.
Social and Economic Impact
The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes can also have negative social and economic impacts on the community. It can undermine legitimate businesses, as illegal products are often sold at lower prices, undercutting legal retailers. This can result in lost revenue for local businesses, as well as a loss of tax revenue for the government. Moreover, the social costs of smoking, such as increased healthcare costs and lost productivity, can place a burden on the community and strain public resources.
Efforts to Combat Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in Staffordshire
Efforts to combat the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes in Staffordshire are ongoing and involve various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, local government, and community organizations. Some of the key strategies being implemented to tackle this issue include:
Enforcement and Seizures: Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers, in collaboration with Staffordshire Police and other agencies, conduct regular inspections and raids to identify and seize illegal tobacco and vapes. These operations are part of national initiatives such as Operation CeCe, which aims to disrupt the supply chain of illegal tobacco and reduce its availability in local communities.
Education and Awareness: Public education and awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate the public, especially young people, about the dangers of using illegal tobacco and vapes. These campaigns highlight the health risks, link to organized crime, and negative social and economic impacts associated with these products. Information is disseminated through various channels, including schools, community events, and social media, to reach a wide audience.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers work closely with other agencies, such as Staffordshire Police, HMRC, and other trading standards services, to share information, intelligence, and resources in order to effectively tackle the illegal trade in tobacco and vapes. Collaboration with local businesses, retailers, and community organizations is also encouraged to raise awareness and gather information about illegal sales.
Prosecution and Legal Action: Those found selling illegal tobacco and vapes can face prosecution and legal action. Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers work diligently to gather evidence and build cases against illegal sellers, with the aim of bringing them to justice. This includes working with the Crown Prosecution Service and other legal authorities to ensure that appropriate legal action is taken against offenders.
Licensing and Regulation: Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers also regulate and enforce licensing requirements for retailers selling tobacco and e-cigarettes. This includes conducting inspections to ensure compliance with age verification, display, and advertising regulations. Non-compliant retailers may face penalties or even have their licenses revoked, reducing the availability of illegal tobacco and vapes in the market.
Support for Smokers to Quit: In addition to enforcement efforts, support is provided to smokers who want to quit. Smoking cessation programs, such as counseling, medication, and support groups, are available to help individuals quit smoking and reduce the demand for tobacco and vapes, including illegal products.
Community Engagement: Community engagement and involvement are key in tackling the issue of illegal tobacco and vapes. Building strong relationships with local communities, encouraging them to report any suspicious activities, and involving them in awareness campaigns and initiatives can help in identifying illegal sellers and reducing the demand for these products.
Conclusion
The seizure of illegal tobacco and vapes in Staffordshire highlights the ongoing challenge of combatting the sale of these products in the region. The efforts of Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers, in collaboration with other agencies and community stakeholders, are crucial in addressing this issue and protecting public health, disrupting organized crime, and mitigating the social and economic impacts on the community. Continued vigilance, enforcement, education, and community engagement efforts are essential in the ongoing fight against illegal tobacco and vapes in Staffordshire and beyond.