Two sniffer dogs have helped uncover £50,000 worth of illegal vapes and tobacco in raids on nine shops. The dogs - Skye and Louie - helped police, Trading Standards and customs officers on the two-day operation in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
The raids on nine shops follows calls for tighter crackdowns on illegal vapes, following reports of children being sold unlicensed products. A council spokesperson said traders who sell illegal products 'often go to great lengths to conceal their contraband'. But dogs are specially trained to detect counterfeit tobacco products., they added.
More than 78,000 illegal cigarettes, 11kg (26lbs) of hand-rolling tobacco and 2,578 bogus disposable vapes were seized.
The Operation
The two-day operation saw Skye and Louie, trained by Wagtails UK Ltd, work with Oldham's Council's Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs, and Greater Manchester Police. They visited nine premises across Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Cracking Down on Illegal Tobacco and Vapes
Chris Goodwin, Oldham Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said the authority was committed to cracking down on the sale of illegal smoking products. He added: “Smoking, the harm it does, and the trade in illegal tobacco has sadly been around for years. But over the last few years we’ve seen more and more illegal vapes on our streets.
“Not only do they contain illegal amount of nicotine but they are also being targeted at young people, and that’s not on.
“It’s also against the law to sell a vape to anyone under 18.”
The Growing Problem of Illegal Vapes
The council's concerns about the sale of illegal vapes are shared by many others. A recent report by the UK government found that the number of young people using e-cigarettes has increased significantly in recent years. The report also highlighted the dangers of unregulated vapes, which can contain high levels of harmful chemicals.
The government is currently working on new regulations for the sale of vapes, including a ban on the sale of disposable vapes to under-18s.
Why are Illegal Tobacco Products a Problem?
The sale of illegal tobacco products is a serious problem, not only in the UK but across the globe. These products are often counterfeit, meaning they are not subject to the same safety regulations as legal products. This means they can contain harmful chemicals that can cause serious health problems. The illicit tobacco trade also undermines the efforts of governments to reduce smoking rates and protect public health.
What Can You Do?
The council has urged members of the public to report shops selling illegal tobacco and vapes to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also report any suspicions of illegal tobacco sales directly to your local council or to the HMRC.
The Fight Against Illegal Tobacco Goes On
The success of the operation in Oldham is a testament to the importance of collaboration between different agencies. By working together, they can effectively combat the illegal tobacco trade and protect the public from its harmful effects. This operation is a reminder that the fight against illegal tobacco is ongoing, and we all have a role to play in ensuring that these products are not available to those who shouldn’t be able to access them.
