illegal tobacco

SNIFFER dogs and trading standards officials are investigating shops across Westminster this week looking for under-the-counter illegal tobacco.

The council believes that criminal networks are making tens of millions of pounds a year from selling fake tobacco.

Telltale signs include foreign language health warnings, packets with no health warnings, packets costing £3.50 to £5.

Westminster Council believes untaxed tobacco is being sold on the cheap – sometimes as “singles”, enticing young children into smoking.

It is also pursuing its long held campaign against unlicensed shisha bars. Westminster cabinet member for family services and public health Cllr Heather Acton said: “All tobacco carries a health risk, whether it be cigarettes, shisha or snuff.

“Westminster has made it a priority to help our residents to stop smoking, including shisha.

“Now we are uniting with London Trading Standards and Public Health England to stamp out the trade in illegal tobacco, currently controlled by criminal networks.”