Lincolnshire’s war on illegal tobacco intensifies as authorities seize record-breaking haul

More than 670,000 illicit cigarettes were removed from Lincolnshire’s streets in 2024, as the county council ramps up efforts to protect public health and combat rogue traders. The latest figures mark a staggering 150 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

In addition to the vast haul of illegal cigarettes, Lincolnshire County Council Trading Standards officers, working alongside Lincolnshire Police and other enforcement partners, seized 17,000 illegal vapes and 370kg of hand-rolling tobacco. Authorities also served closure orders on 68 shops found selling counterfeit tobacco products.

The significant rise in enforcement activity is attributed to effective intelligence sharing and joint operations between Trading Standards, police, and local authorities.

Operation Nivada: Fighting the Illicit Trade

The publication of these figures coincides with the launch of Operation Nivada, a public awareness campaign aimed at exposing the dangers of illegal tobacco and its links to wider criminal activity. Residents can follow Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire County Council’s Facebook pages for exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of shop raids and enforcement action.

Councillor’s Warning to Illegal Traders

Cllr Daniel McNally, executive member for Trading Standards at Lincolnshire County Council, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to tackling illegal tobacco sales:

“Trading Standards officers and partners are working tirelessly to remove these dangerous products from circulation and hold rogue traders accountable.

“Make no mistake – these items pose serious risks. They often contain harmful, unregulated substances that damage health, have been linked to fatal house fires in Lincolnshire, and undermine legitimate businesses.

“There is no place for these illicit products on our streets. Criminals are on notice – we will continue to take firm action against those who sell them.”

How Authorities Are Cracking Down

Lincolnshire Trading Standards employs a variety of enforcement measures to clamp down on illicit tobacco sales. These include:

• Regular test purchases and inspections to identify offending retailers.
• Partnerships with landlords to evict tenants found selling illegal products.
• Securing closure orders on businesses engaged in illicit trade.
• Prosecuting offenders in court to ensure justice is served.

How to Report Illegal Tobacco Sales

Residents with information about illegal tobacco or vape sales can report it anonymously via the Citizens Advice consumer service at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer or by calling 0808 223 1133.

The latest enforcement figures will be discussed by councillors at the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 25 February 2025.