Stub it Out campaign launched to crack down on illegal tobacco sales

A campaign has been launched to urge the public to help in the prevention of sales and distribution and use of illegal tobacco in the East Midlands.

The Stub It Out campaign, was launched on Tuesday 1 September, is being run by Trading Standards East Midlands and is being supported by marketing agency Soar Media.

It aims to encourage the public to share information to aid local authorities, as they look to crack down on illegal tobacco individuals and organised groups.

The trade of illicit tobacco makes cheaper tobacco more readily available to the young and vulnerable and takes trade away from honest businesses.

Colin Martin, Illicit Tobacco & Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator for Trading Standards East Midlands, said: “Between April and June of this year, over 645,000 cigarettes were seized in the region, with 53 calls coming from the public either via Crimestoppers or directly to Trading Standards.

“We rely heavily on public information, enabling the authorities to visit suspected premises and prevent activity from continuing, whilst prosecuting those responsible.

“The Stub It Out campaign urges the East Midlands public to provide any information they have, and help to rid our streets of illegal tobacco.”

-Colin Martin, Illicit Tobacco & Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator for Trading Standards East Midlands

The campaign is supported by HMRC, and a spokesperson for them said: “The sale of illegal tobacco will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies. Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £2.1 billion a year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders.”

The Stub It Out campaign will last for six weeks of activity, running until Friday 9 October.

If anyone has any information relating to illegal tobacco or suspicious activity in their area, they should report this to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.