Hull City Council launches plan to 'banish' illegal tobacco

A campaign to 'banish' illegal tobacco from the streets of Hull has got underway today.

Over the past three years, 375,780 counterfeit and foreign-labelled cigarettes and 101kg of tobacco - that's the weight of a large baby elephant - have been discovered across the city.

It's resulted in 31 prosecutions and 12 warning notices.

Hull City Council's hosting a series of events across the city this week to warn people about the dangers.

Julia Weldon, director of Public Health at the council, told Viking:

“Illegal tobacco can seem like a victimless crime to those buying it - just a cheaper way to get hold of cigarettes or tobacco. However, it has proven links to organised crime gangs, and is an easy source of supply for children due to its price and the fact it’s sold by unscrupulous retailers and those who sell from homes and other unlicensed premises. Illegal tobacco affects anyone who doesn’t want crime in their communities and doesn’t want to see the next generation take up smoking.

“The roadshow is a chance to find out more about the issues surrounding illegal tobacco, report information without giving any personal details, and to meet the dogs and people who help keep it out of communities and bring those who supply it to justice.

“In joining the Keep it Out campaign, we’re also sending the message to the offenders involved in this illegal trade that this is a priority for us and you won’t get away with it. Our teams have uncovered hauls in all kinds of seemingly ingenious hiding places, including a secret panel concealed behind a large bathroom mirror and sealed into a tiled bay window”.

The roadshow will be near Jameson St, city centre on Monday March 19; North Point, Bransholme on Tuesday March 20; Walton St Market on Wednesday March 21; St Andrew's Retail Park, Hessle Rd, on Thursday March 22; The Mount, Holderness Rd, on Friday March 23