Worthing shop had thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco

West Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards said the ‘recent operation’ at Smart Shop in Crescent Road resulted in the discovery of £7,600 worth of tobacco and cigarettes – which were ordered to be destroyed.

It followed the seizure of £8,500 worth of illicit tobacco products from four other shops in Worthing and Littlehampton in October last year.

A county council spokesperson said: “Efforts to eradicate the sale of cheap and illegal tobacco continue across the county, with West Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards taking firm action against shops found to be supplying them.

“Over 6,000 illegal cigarettes were also discovered hidden in four separate shops in Worthing and Littlehampton last summer.

"Illegal tobacco is often carefully concealed in secret compartments, requiring specialist detection dogs to find it. Illegal disposable vapes were also discovered and confiscated by officers.”

Peter Aston, Trading Standards team manager, said the local authority department is ‘committed to safeguarding the health of our communities’ and ‘ensuring that those who flout the law face the consequences’.

He added: “Working with partner agencies and specialist detection dog teams we will continue to take robust enforcement action against any shop selling illicit tobacco in West Sussex.

“Cheap and Illegal tobacco is a serious concern to public health. Counterfeit cigarettes may contain a range of hazardous substances, from weed killer and metal splinters to dead insects and rat faeces.

“They have also been found to contain far higher levels of tar and nicotine. High toxic metal concentrations greatly increase the health risk for consumers, and we would therefore discourage the public from buying any seemly bargain-priced tobacco.”

Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for community support, fire and rescue, said keeping people safe from the ‘consequences of using cheap illicit’ tobacco and illegal vapes is a ‘top health priority’.

“Shop owners who deal in this trade should expect to be caught, have their stock removed and face criminal charges,” councillor Crow said.

"Illegal tobacco and vapes harm communities and jeopardises the profitability of honest local businesses that abide by the law.”

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity related to the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes directly to Trading Standards via www.westsussex.gov.uk/TSreport.

Anyone ‘needing help to give up smoking’ can find out more by visiting www.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk.

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