A search dog finding illicit cigarettes at Urmston Convenience Store
A convenience store has been temporarily closed down after illicit tobacco were found in hidden concealments.
Trading Standard officers from Trafford Council visited Urmston Convenience Store three times after receiving intelligence that the Flixton Road shop had a supply of illegal tobacco.
One each occasion, illicit nicotine was found on the premises. Officers wrote to the owner as he was not in attendance on any of the occasions. However, their request to attend an interview was ignored.
The Council therefore served a 48-hour Closure Notice under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Officers have also gone to court to ask that the closure is extended to three months. Manchester Magistrates Court extended the Council's Closure Order until 16 February in order that the shop’s owner can show cause why the order should not remain in force.
Illicit tobacco can be available from a range of sources within communities, making it easier for children to start smoking and become hooked at a young age. It is also often available at cheaper prices. This makes it harder for smokers to quit, easier for non-smokers to start and easier for ex-smokers to relapse.
Cllr Jane Slater, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, and Equalities, said:
“The evidence is clear that illicit cigarettes and tobacco are a health hazard and a blight on our communities. It’s right we have a zero-tolerance attitude towards illicit tobacco.
“A lot of work goes into supporting people who want to give up smoking and live a healthier lifestyle. Selling illicit tobacco undermines all our efforts so we will crackdown hard on any premise found to be selling or storing them.”
If any members of the public have any concerns regarding the sale of illegal tobacco, please contact Trafford’s Trading Standards team on 0161 912 1377, Trading Standards’ North West Illicit Tobacco Team on 01925 442 466 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.
Posted on Wednesday 8th February 2023