More Inverclyde Success for Dixie the Tobacco Dog
Inverclyde Council’s Trading Standards have been involved in further seizures of illicit tobacco following repeat raids on targeted premises.
The intelligence-led operation again teamed up with Dixie, a specialist tobacco detection dog, who works independently with her handler for Trading Standards authorities and Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Police Scotland.
Communities Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “These were follow-up raids on a number of premises we visited in June where Dixie was central to the seizure of thousands of non-compliant cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco.
“There was a dramatic reduction in the amount seized this time which goes to show the deterrent effect Dixie has had.
“Smoking is the biggest preventable killer in Scotland. All cigarettes are dangerous but illegal ones even more so because they are not checked and could contain anything – even rat poison.”
The Inverclyde operation is part of a widespread, co-ordinated effort to stamp out illegal tobacco supported by The Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).
People caught with illegal tobacco face a mixture of enforcement action including reports to the Procurator Fiscal which can result in fines and imprisonment.
Communities Vice Convener Councillor Natasha Murphy said: “The sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco undermines all of the health measures that have been put in place – higher taxation, increased health warnings, plain packaging and control of sales to young people.
“As well as putting people’s health at risk they also fund organised crime and undermine legitimate traders and the local economy.
“Inverclyde Council will continue to play its part in the nationwide effort to carry out enforcement exercises targeting rogue traders. Any shopkeeper thinking of selling illegal tobacco should thing again – particularly if Dixie comes calling.
Businesses selling tobacco products can visit the government-funded www.businesscompanion.info website to check what their obligations are and how to comply with the law.
Trading Standards will also provide tailored advice to any business that operates in Inverclyde. To request this they should email tradingstandards@inverclyde.gov.uk
Anyone with any information about illicit tobacco, underage tobacco sales or any other form of illicit trading can report it via the Inverclyde Council website or by calling the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.
Photograph: Councillor Clocherty and Councillor Murphy with Dixie and some of the illegal tobacco products seized.