Thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco seized in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets Council’s Trading Standards Officers and detection dogs found £8,000 worth of illegal tobacco hidden inside cereal boxes, coat pockets and behind display panels during a recent two-day operation.
Officers found illegal products in 10 of the 18 premises visited.
Overall 12,360 cigarettes, 2,250g of hand-rolling tobacco and 68 pots of chewing tobacco were seized.
The raids were part of Operation Stromboli, which aims to stop the sale of counterfeit, incorrectly labelled and non-duty paid tobacco and alcohol in Tower Hamlets.
According to the law, cigarettes must be sold in minimum quantities of 20s with plain (olive green) packaging and prescribed health warnings.
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets said, “Tower Hamlets has a zero tolerance approach to businesses and people who make no significant effort to comply with the law – or those who deliberately choose to ignore it.
“While all smoking kills, illegal tobacco is a particular health risk, particularly to children and young people, as it is sold at pocket money prices. It also encourages and often funds other crimes in our communities.
“This is a fantastic result for Operation Stromboli. It sends a clear message to people selling illegal tobacco – we will not stand for people selling it within our borough.”
Cllr Asma Begum, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety and Equalities said, “We are committed to protecting our residents by seizing illegal tobacco. We will not tolerate people ignoring the law and remain committed to getting illegal products off of our streets.”
Residents who need help to stop smoking or using Paan should contact the BME Stop Tobacco Project on 020 7882 8669 (women) or 020 7882 8660 (men).
Further information is available at www.nhs.uk/smokefree