More than £200,000 has been awarded to Nottingham City Council in a bid to quell illegal underage sales on e-cigarettes throughout the city. In a decision published yesterday (March 30), up to £236,355 will be used to fund a tobacco control enforcement officer post to work on illegal tobacco control.
The decision noted that the total smoking cost within Nottingham City adds up to £137.17 million. According to a report, the sale of counterfeit and illicit tobacco in Nottingham is "a growing problem."
A police officer will also work alongside a Trading Standards enforcement officer. Shops identified as selling illegal tobacco are being visited by Trading Standards and, if counterfeit products are found, they will be seized.
Nottingham City Council says further action could be taken.
The decision noted: "Illegal or counterfeit cigarettes are produced in unknown and unregulated environments with no safety or quality check. Efforts are being made to educate traders about the harm that can be caused to legitimate businesses as well as how black-market traders are undermining efforts to reduce smoking in Nottingham.
"Shops that are identified as selling counterfeit or illegal tobacco are being visited by Trading Standards and their illegal products will be seized. Further enforcement action will also be considered against these sellers."
HMRC estimates 2.5 billion illegal cigarettes and 3,500 tonnes of illegal hand rolling tobacco were consumed in the UK (United Kingdom) in 2018-19.
READ NEXT:
'Violent' knifepoint rapist jailed for 12 years after Mansfield attack
Man jailed after 'sickening' rape and assault in Mansfield leaves woman with bleed on brain
Nottingham man who threatened to jump off Trent Bridge turns his life around
United States Air Force statement as jets train over Nottinghamshire
