Ably assisted by the trained nose of tobacco detection dog Griff, Kent Police, immigration and HMRC officers and staff from Canterbury City Council, eight retail stores were inspected on Tuesday (16 July).
And on the day, Trading Standards seized 1,874 vapes, 9,840 cigarettes, 6.55kg of hand rolling tobacco, 860 tubs of nicotine pouches and 1.9kg shisha, all of which were illegal. There was also a first with 29 packets of nicotine chewing gum found.
Griff the tobacco detection dog showing just how valuable a tool a trained dog's nose can be
Nearly 550 other counterfeit products were taken away including mobile phone accessories, Apple, Samsung and PlayStation products and 14 laser pens.
The co-ordinated operation enabled all agencies to participate in removing dangerous and illegal products from the streets of Canterbury.
James Whiddett, Operations manager for Kent Trading Standards, said: “This has been a successful operation lead and supported by the regional illegal tobacco co-ordinator. Our staff work alongside our partner agencies to maximise the effectiveness of the day and as well as seeing illegal tobacco and vapes, officers have for the first time seized this nicotine chewing gum.
This nicotine gum was a first for Kent Trading Standards officers
“It looks like packets of sweets, and not like the well-known branded chewing gum specifically sold to help people quit smoking. These products do not comply with the labelling required when products contain dangerous substances like nicotine.
“The team’s work was supported by using tobacco BWY Canine’s specialist search dogs, who can find the secret hides in shops that hold the illegal tobacco products. By agencies working together like this, removing illegal and dangerous product from our high streets, we are making our communities safer.”
Sergeant Benjamin Norbury, from Canterbury district’s Community Safety Unit, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco products and vaping equipment not only presents a danger to the public, it can also damage the livelihoods of legitimate businesses who operate within the law. We will continue to work with partner agencies to clamp down on these sales and to protect our residents and businesses from this illicit trade.”
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 19 million illegal cigarettes and 5,103kg of hand rolling tobacco in 2023-24, Operation CeCe (a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC) has taken £27.2 million pounds worth of illicit tobacco off the market since the operation launched in 2021 and continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”
Further information
Vapes and vaping products which contain nicotine are age restricted and shouldn’t be sold to or bought for under 18s. If you’re aware of illegal sales let us know by emailing our dedicated team at vapes@kent.gov.uk
Or report the sales through Citizens Advice Consumer helpline using their online form or chatting to an advisor online: Contact the consumer service - Citizens Advice
