Campaign launched in Suffolk against illegal tobacco

A NEW CAMPAIGN has been launched in Suffolk this week to prevent children being targeted for sales of illegal tobacco.

Illegal tobacco, which comes in the form of smuggled or counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco, is sold at around half the price of legal tobacco.

According to research obtained by Suffolk County Council, almost a third of people in Suffolk have been offered illegal tobacco, and 14 per cent admit to buying it.

The month-long campaign against illegeal tobacco will see the council working alongside Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), NHS, East of England Trading Standards Association and other local councils to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal tobacco in Suffolk.

Local campaigners, including Smokefree East of England and Suffolk Trading Standards will be taking to the streets in Ipswich and Lowestoft this month to promote this important message in the local community.

Children’s centres, NHS stop smoking services and other participating groups across the county are also campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal tobacco with those they come into contact with on a day-to-day basis.

Elspeth Gibson, chair of the Suffolk Tobacco Control Alliance, said: “The criminal gangs that sell smuggled cigarettes are not concerned with who buys them, and do not care who they sell to.

“Unfortunately, this often includes children and young people who are under age. As well as causing criminals to prey upon our children, purchasing illegal tobacco brings other crime to our communities and undermines legitimate businesses.”