Illegal Tobacco - Let's Stamp IT Out

Illegal tobacco has been found in a range of shops across London, hidden in secret locations such as holes in the staircase, beneath shop floors, on back shelves, or hidden away in nearby parked vehicles. Private homes are also used to sell illegal tobacco in London as well as pubs, nail bars and cafes. Illegal tobacco is also sold on the street by illicit traders. 

The warning from officials comes as the ‘Stamp IT Out London’ summer campaign against illegal tobacco gets underway, with Londoners urged to look out for illegal tobacco products and to report on the premises and individuals that sell it. The campaign, which is supported by London Councils, the Mayor of London, London Trading Standards, Public Health England London, the London Association of Directors of Public Health  London, and Action on Smoking and Health aims to make it less socially acceptable to buy and sell illegal tobacco.

A series of roadshows involving sniffer dogs, public health and trading standards officers, the Fire Brigade, stop smoking services and other partners will visit locations across London over the summer months, providing information to the public about the different types of illegal tobacco and the importance of stamping out the trade.

Main concerns about illegal tobacco

  • Availability of illegal tobacco and the sale of singles makes it more likely that children will start smoking and damage their health.
  • Illegal tobacco has strong links to low-level and large scaled organized crime
  • It brings crime into our communities
  • It undermines stop smoking services and makes it harder for smokers to quit

Signs to look out for

  • Packets with foreign language health warnings
  • No pictures or old style health warnings
  • Being much cheaper than normal cigarettes (i.e. £3.50 - £7.00 per pack of 20)
  • Branded instead of plain packaging
  • Unusual or foreign brand names, such as Jin Ling – or those from Russia and the Far East.

If you suspect illegal tobacco and or single cigarettes are being sold, contact the London Trading Standards Report Customer Crime or call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 

Illegal Tobacco Podcast

Our podcast explains the topical issue of illegal tobacco and why it is important to address the impact of illegal tobacco on our health and within our communities.  It also sets out the London boroughs’ responses and action being taken to raise awareness in London.

In 2017 it was estimated that £117 million is made by criminals each year as a result of the sale of illegal tobacco in London.

  • A survey of London smokers revealed that a third of smokers were offered tobacco in 2017
  • The illegal tobacco trade is also linked to organised crime and people buying it are putting themselves at risk.
  • Many of the people smuggling, distributing and selling illegal tobacco are also involved in drug dealing, money laundering and people trafficking.
  • Illegal tobacco has a negative impact of communities by encouraging organised crime.

The illegal tobacco campaign is now in its third year. London Councils – working with London Trading Standards, ADPH London, the Mayor of London and PHE (London) Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Team – is promoting the campaign to key stakeholders and the general public, alongside the crucial role played by individual London boroughs.

London boroughs will once again run roadshows and other awareness-raising activities to educate residents and businesses about the harms and risks of illegal tobacco. London boroughs have identified the sale and use of illegal tobacco as an issue they are keen to address with residents, particularly young people, as part of their public health responsibilities.

The aim of the roadshows is to raise awareness of the impact of illegal tobacco on local communities, to make it less socially acceptable to buy and sell these products, and increase reporting of it, ultimately reducing sale and distribution across London. This year the campaign has also broadened its aims to target retailers who continue to sell it by raising the perception of risk of getting caught.

For further details about the pan-London campaign and illegal tobacco issues, please contact

LeAnne.George@hounslow.gov.uk

Wendy.Elcome@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

For queries specifically about communications for the campaign, contact jack.graves@londoncouncils.gov.uk