Wiltshire Trading Standards has seized a ‘significant amount’ of counterfeit and unsafe goods in a series of recent raids.
Supported by Wiltshire Police, on 21 November Officers visited three businesses in Chippenham, Devizes and Melksham suspected of selling illicit tobacco and vapes. They were acting in response to complaints received from members of the public.
Some of the illegal goods seized (image credit: Wiltshire Trading Standards)
They discovered illegal cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco and vaping products which were either counterfeit or did not comply with UK safety laws.
Wiltshire Council said its Trading Standards service is now preparing to prosecute the businesses.
Councillor Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Public Protection said: “Wiltshire Council is dedicated to supporting communities and ensuring that the Wiltshire is a safe place to live. Unfortunately, businesses are sometimes tempted to sell non-compliant vapes and illegal tobacco products with little regard for the impact on their customers’ health. Illegal tobacco is not regulated or manufactured to the same standards as normal tobacco. It is often found to contain higher levels of harmful substances, as well as chemicals which are not normally permitted.
“I’m very grateful for the hard work of the officers in this case, and my thanks also to Wiltshire Police for their assistance during the raid. This seizure sends a strong message to traders that we will not tolerate these sales in our community. I urge any residents concerned about illicit tobacco to report it to us for further investigation.
Chief Superintendent Doug Downing, head of Local Policing at Wiltshire Police, said: “We are determined to clamp down on businesses which put the public’s health at risk by selling non-compliant tobacco and vapes.
“The laws around them are there for a reason. We know there is a real risk that illicit vapes and tobacco, such as that seized in these raids, could contain dangerous levels of nicotine or chemicals you don’t know you’re inhaling.
“We are grateful to Trading Standards for their work and collaboration on these raids and we will continue to work with our partners to keep the public safe.”
Those found guilty of selling illicit tobacco, cigarettes vape products etc, can face penalties of up to £10,000, a seizure of any tobacco products, a removal of the right to sell tobacco, or a prison sentence.
