Residents in North Somerset are being warned of the
dangers of buying illicit or counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco
from unauthorised outlets.
And those caught selling them will be prosecuted - that
is our message.
The warning follows a recent prosecution following a raid at a
car boot sale in Bleadon, near Weston-super-Mare last
September.
Two men were arrested and bailed pending further investigations
by Trading Standards and on 30 March, Paul James Mackay of Midsomer
Norton, appeared at North Somerset Magistrates Court where he
entered five guilty pleas for the following trading standards
offences:
• Selling Richman cigarettes which had a tar content 39% in
excess of the legal limit
• Selling Richman cigarettes which had a carbon monoxide
content 45% in excess of the legal limit
• Selling Richman cigarettes that did not have the correct
safety labelling (i.e. written warnings, pictograms and yield
statement in relation to the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide
levels);
• Selling Golden Virginia hand rolling tobacco that did not
have the correct safety labelling (i.e. written warnings not being
in English);
• Failing to display the following notice "It is illegal to
sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18"; and
• Possession for sale of counterfeit Golden Virginia hand
rolling tobacco.
Mr Mackay was given a community punishment requiring him to be
electronically tagged and observe a curfew on Saturdays and Sundays
between the hours of 8am to 8pm for the next six months, preventing
him from attending car boot sales at the weekend.
He was also ordered to pay £1,242.72 costs. In addition to
this, Mr Mackay had all his tobacco products seized by officers,
including his Ford Transit van.
The quantity of illicit tobacco products seized from the car
boot sale and Mr Mackay’s home address totalled 1,533 packets of 20
“Richman” cigarettes and 76 x 50g pouches of Golden Virginia hand
rolling tobacco, which equates to a street value of £5,131.00 and
an estimated detriment to local businesses of some £7,800.
Derek Wilkins, our Trading Standards Manager, said: "As one of
the leading authorities in the South West undertaking work in
relation to illicit tobacco, I am extremely pleased with the
way that this investigation has been conducted and the sentence
levied by the court.
"This should send a message to others who may consider selling
such products as it demonstrates that we treat these breaches
seriously."
NHS North Somerset praised Trading Standards’ continuing
vigilance over the sale of unregulated cigarettes and their
continued support and contribution to North Somerset’s Smoke Free
Plan.
Fiona Miles, Health Improvement Development Manager of NHS North
Somerset, said: "Preventing young people from taking up smoking is
a key priority for us, this type of activity targets young people
and makes it easy for our kids to smoke and become addicted any
action that can be taken to prevent this is welcomed."
If you have any information on individuals selling illicit or
counterfeit tobacco you can contact Trading Standards on 0845 04 05
06 or email
trading.standards@n-somerset.gov.uk
The risks associated with smoking illicit or counterfeit
tobacco, in comparison with the health risks normally associated
with smoking in general, are dramatically increased.
Illicit or counterfeit tobacco products are not regulated in the
same strict manner associated with genuine brands and therefore go
untested.
