Campaign begins in Lincolnshire to crackdown on illegal cigarettes
Operation June aims to warn of the dangers
A new campaign's launched in Lincolnshire warning of the dangers of illegal cigarettes.
A series of roadshows are taking place in the county.
'Operation June' is named after Julie Grant’s mother, who passed away in 2012 following a house fire in Spalding caused by illegal cigarettes.
We spoke to Julie about the campaign:
"It seems very strange to use the word proud but I was proud".
"Upset as well, I had to think about it for a while".
"But very proud, it's a legacy for mum which is great".
"Because of the current economic climate we're in consumers are wanting to save money".
"I just hope smokers don't try and save money by sourcing the illicit brands".
"You really cannot put a price on life."
Emma Milligan from Lincolnshire Trading Standards says there are quick ways for customers to spot illegal cigarettes.
She told us: "The key issue is they're cheaper unfortunately cheapness isn't a bargain, these things are unsafe".
"Also the warnings may not be in English."
"They should be in plain packaging and we do see counterfeit branded cigarettes."
"Unsafe cigarettes don't have the important safety legal requirements within them."
"They should have like a "speed bump" so when they're not being smoked they should go out".
"Illegal cigarettes don't have those important health warnings on them, they may be sold to children and they don't have the tax and duty on them."