A huge haul of counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes has been recovered by Hull City Council’ Trading Standards team, working with partners in Humberside Police.
The seizure consisted of half a million cigarettes, 121kg of tobacco and 500 vapes – the items were found at a Hull home, stored in stacks of carboard boxes, piled high inside a cupboard and an unfurnished room.
The goods would not have been subject to any of the checks or safety standards – like measures which prevent cigarettes easily igniting when not actively being smoked – which legal products have.
Throughout 2024, the team took in a total of 2.4 million cigarettes, 21,916 tobacco packs and 42,403 vapes. Regularly acting on information received from the public or using detection dogs saw even the most contrived hiding places foiled. These included a hidden compartment in an industrial-sized bin, behind a mirror, under a concrete drain and a chute from a flat above down to the shop below.
Cllr Charles Quinn, whose portfolio includes Public Protection, said: “Our fantastic team and their partners have started 2025 as they mean to go on, with this huge seizure. Year after year, they work throughout our communities to get illicit tobacco and vapes off the streets as quickly as criminals get them out.
“Tobacco like this is about more than just cheap cigarettes or vapes. Products aren’t subject to any safety regulations – they could pose a significant fire risk and there’s simply no way to know what you’re actually buying.
“The lower process and fact they’re not sold by reputable retailers makes them accessible to children and young people, and is a factor in preventing adults from quitting. Research also shows they fund organised crime. There’s simply no place for these counterfeit products in our communities”.
Signs tobacco is counterfeit can include:
- A shopkeeper getting the goods from somewhere other than a cabinet behind the till
- No health warnings on the packet
- Unusual brand names
- Warnings in a foreign language
- A lower price than normal cigarettes/tobacco
- Being sold from somewhere unusual, including homes, market stalls, pubs and vans
- Selling single cigarettes, particularly to children.
- Information from the public about where goods are sold is vital in helping the team and police partners tackle the problem.
Report someone selling illicit tobacco anonymously to Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133, or visit keepitout.co.uk and report anonymously online. For free support to stop smoking, search SmokeFree Hull, or call: 01482 977 617.
Access the internet for free at any of Hull’s libraries or Customer Service Centres.
