Thornaby shop on Lanehouse Road closed over illegal tobacco sales

A shop in Thornaby has become the third premises in the area to be shut down after being found selling illicit tobacco.

The business at 91 Lanehouse Road was ordered to close for three months after Stockton Council secured a closure order at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 27.

The action follows similar closure orders issued against Westbury Shop on December 18 and Green Mini Market on January 20.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for access, communities and community safety, said Trading Standards officers have acted swiftly to tackle the issue.

She said: “In just over a month, our Trading Standards team has successfully obtained closure orders against three Thornaby shops that were all found to be selling illicit tobacco.

“Some shop owners believe they can simply move their stock to another nearby premises once one shop is closed and continue trading illegally.

“But our Trading Standards officers have shown they are ready to act, as demonstrated by their strong enforcement efforts in securing these closure orders.”

Councillor Stephenson also encouraged residents to continue reporting the sale of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes so action can be taken.

Test purchases at the Lanehouse Road premises confirmed that cigarettes being sold did not meet the requirements of the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 and did not carry the mandatory combined health warnings required under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

Further checks revealed the cigarettes were counterfeit, breaching the Trade Marks Act 1994.

Investigators found illicit cigarettes being sold for £5, significantly below the normal market price.

During the investigation, Trading Standards officers seized 8,260 illegal cigarettes along with 39 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, weighing a total of 1.95kg.

The tobacco products were discovered openly displayed inside holdalls and a food delivery bag.

The enforcement action forms part of Operation CeCe, a national initiative led by National Trading Standards in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs, aimed at tackling the illegal tobacco trade.

Lord Michael Bichard, chair of National Trading Standards, said the trade in illicit tobacco is linked to organised crime and poses serious risks to communities.

He said: “The illicit tobacco trade is driven by organised criminal gangs and presents significant dangers, particularly to young people.

“Since its launch in January 2021, Operation CeCe has removed 69 million illegal cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, helping to protect communities and legitimate businesses across the UK.”

Anyone with concerns about the sale of illegal cigarettes can contact Stockton Council’s Trading Standards team by calling 01642 526560 or by emailing trading.standards@stockton.gov.uk..

Reports can also be made anonymously through the Keep it Out website.