Worksop: Man fined for possessing thousands of illicit cigarettes for supply

David Savage, 59, of Queen Elizabeth Crescent, Rhodesia, pleaded guilty to one offence under the General Product Safety Regulations and four offences under the Consumer Protection Act.

Notts County Council’s trading standards team and Notts Police raided his home in July and seized 2,080 illicit cigarettes, which posed a safety risk as they were not self-extinguishing and did not have the legal health warnings.

The raid followed test purchases by undercover trading standards officers who purchased illicit cigarettes from his home on two occasions.

Coun Glynn Gilfoyle, Chair of Notts County Council’s Community Safety Committee, said: “This case forms our first round of house raids where we targeted householders who were selling illicit cigarettes from their doorstep.”

“We want to send out a clear message that whether you are a shop keeper or a resident trading from your front door we will not tolerate the sale of illegal cigarettes in the county.“

“Illicit cigarettes tend to be a lot cheaper and so go against the Government’s pricing policy on tobacco, which aims to encourage smokers to give up to save money.”

“They also do not contain the health warnings as required by law and are a fire risk as they do not self extinguish.”

Genuine cigarettes have a safety feature that means they extinguish if they are left attended and have the correct health warnings.

Nationally the cost of smoking related house fires is estimated at £507m a year.

Savage was fined £400 with £200 costs on Wednesday 24th September at Worksop Magistrates’ Court.

Anyone with information about people selling counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes in their area should call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.

People can also ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.uk