We all love a bargain, but cheap tobacco is costing more than you might bargain for.
Criminals are turning to social media to sell illegal tobacco products at pocket money prices with no age checks making it easier for children to start smoking and become addicted whilst also leaving authorities faced tackling a new front in the war what some see as a victimless crime.
The number of Swindon based profiles on Facebook offering illegal tobacco in the last few months has risen with readers bringing to our attention at least one new profile each week offering tobacco at hugely reduced prices to the local shops.
A 2017 survey by Oxford Economics found more than a quarter of the 2,200 smokers surveyed admitted they use alternative sources to get their cigarettes.
While the majority still bought their tobacco from corner shops or newsagents, 3% admitted to turning to social media to get their fix.One in five smokers are aware of products being sold illegally but only 21% have reported it to authorities over the past 12 months.
Understanding that cheap tobacco is not a victimless crime, sold by harmless dealers to earn a few quid is important. Sellers are usually involved in other illegal activities and can introduce even more crime into your community.
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We would advise anyone – if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting a great deal when buying goods off the internet or from anywhere – always try and check what you are getting.
“If you think you have been sold counterfeit goods, or if you suspect somebody is selling fake goods, get advice from the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
“You can report it to Action Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040.”
PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE SUPPLY OR SALE OF ILLEGAL TOBACCO CAN FACE SERIOUS PENALTIES:
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Unlimited fine
- Any illegal tobacco and the vehicle used for transportation can be seized
- Proceeds of the crime can be seized, whether it’s money or the confiscation of high value assets, such as jewellery, cars and property
- Loss of job and poor employment prospects due to a criminal record
Illegal tobacco products are cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco that have been smuggled, bootlegged or are counterfeit. Illegal tobacco can be hard to spot, so here’s all you need to know – because if you can spot it, you can help stop it.
We have reached out to Swindon Trading Standards to understand what is being done to clamp down on the obvious criminal activity being played out on the local for sale groups but to date our questions remain unanswered.
SMUGGLED
Foreign tobacco brands brought into the UK illegally to be sold on the black market, things to look out for include one or more of the following:
Foreign brand names (known as cheap whites) made purely for the black market, such as Raquel and Jin Ling
- Cheaper prices – less than retail prices for a pack of 20
- Foreign health warnings
- No picture health warnings
- Unusual taste and smell
BOOTLEGGED
Illegal cigarettes and tobacco usually brought into the UK in large quantities from countries with lower tax and illegally resold – as any cigarettes brought in from outside the UK should be for personal use only. Things to look out for include one or more of the following:
- Popular brands such as Lambert and Butler or Marlboro
- Foreign health warnings
- Cheaper prices – less than retail prices for a pack of 20
COUNTERFEIT (FAKE CIGARETTES)
Cheap cigarettes that are made to look like popular UK brands, things to look out for include one or more of the following:
- Popular brands such as Lambert and Butler or Benson and Hedges
- Unusual packaging – spelling mistakes, incorrect logos or typefaces, foreign health warnings
- No picture health warnings
- Cheaper prices – less than retail prices for a pack of 20
- Unusual taste and smell
If anyone has any information relating to the sale of any illegal goods in Swindon you can report the matter in confidence by telephoning the Council’s Trading Standards team on 01793 466155 or the Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 04 05 06.
Alternatively, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service for advice via their On-line Form.
