Trading standards in illegal tobacco record haul

The illicit haul, eight-and-a-half months into the financial year, is a record and up 31 per cent on last year.

It has come from 112 visits by trading standards staff and if the items were sold legitimately they would be worth £201,000.  The tax lost if they had been sold would be £182,707.

Trading standards officers believe the rise is a result of the attractive risk to reward ratio for criminals because it carries less severe penalties than other areas such as drugs.

Councillor Rachel Lancaster, Chair of Coventry's Community Safety Scrutiny Board, believes there are inherent risks in people buying illegal tobacco.

"People should not be tempted to buy fake goods as some of the products that are tested weren't just poor quality, they were dangerous," she said.

"When it comes to fake tobacco, it is like toys, jewellery and alcohol in the fact that they might look the part, too, but could be toxic.

"The crime of counterfeiting exposes consumers not only to health and safety risks but it also impacts legitimate businesses and employment."

Councillor Lancaster added: "The main consequence of real tobacco imported illegally without the duty being paid is loss in tax revenue with estimates showing the UK lost almost £3 billion last year in this way."

Coventry Trading Standards has come up with a checklist on the best way to spot illegal tobacco products. It includes the taste, spelling mistakes or poorly printed logos, unfamiliar brands and foreign language labelling.

Other signs include the lack of the no 'UK Duty Paid' fiscal mark, no health warnings and pictures or the fact that they are stored away from the normal sales kiosk.

If you have spotted or believe a trader in Coventry is supplying illegal tobacco items call 0845 404 0506 or use an online reporting form at www.coventry.gov.uk/tradingstandards