The campaign to stub out the trade in illegal cigarettes came to the streets of Sale.
Trafford Council Trading Standards officers set up a stand on School Lane to speak to the public as part of the Keep It Out campaign.
As part of the Greater Manchester-wide initiative, local people were made aware of the serious health risks posed by the fake cigarettes and urged to report anyone selling them.
The campaign has seen the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership join forces with trading standards teams across the area as part of the Making Smoking History strategy.
Cllr Mike Freeman, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Public Safety, Governance and Reform, said:
It was really pleasing to see so many people visiting the stall and many were completely unaware of the damage to public health posed by these illegal cigarettes. They are produced by criminals with the sole intention of lining their own pockets. People duped into buying these cigarettes are putting their health at serious risk and winning this battle is also vital as we fight to stop our children getting hold of cheap tobacco. These illegal cigarettes can contain anything and everything. Please report it if you are approached to buy these cigarettes.”
Huw Lewis-Williams and dog Pippa, from Wagtail, which trains dogs to sniff out illegal substances, were also at the event on Friday morning.
The Keep It Out campaign has seen 300,000 information leaflets dropped to homes across Greater Manchester including Trafford, with trading standards teams targeting retailers and businesses in a bid to educate them about the illicit trade.
Anyone asked to buy illegal tobacco can also report incidents anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and further information is available from www.keep-it-out.co.uk.
Posted on Friday 7th June 2019