Today in Leamington, Town Hall, ‘illegal tobacco’ sniffer dogs will be demonstrating their skills with the support of Public Health Warwickshire and Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards.

In the past few months, these dogs have assisted Trading Standards Officers to locate and seize thousands of illicit cigarettes being sold across Warwickshire.

Warwickshire County Councillor John Horner, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said: “Members of the public will be able to meet these amazing animals, see how they work and find out more about the dangers of illegal tobacco.”

Cllr Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health, added: “All smoking kills but illegal tobacco helps make it easier for children to buy tobacco and keeps people hooked on a product that kills around 1,000 Warwickshire residents a year.”

Warwickshire Trading Standards uses local intelligence to identify shops where illegal tobacco is being sold and then utilises sniffer dogs to find any tobacco hidden on the premises.

Illegal tobacco, which is often sold at pocket money prices to young people, both threatens the livelihoods of legitimate traders and the health of young people. Anyone with information about the manufacture or sale of illegal tobacco can phone the confidential fakes hotline on 0300 303 2636.

 

If you are a smoker and want to make a quit attempt then contact the Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service, this is completely free, find out more athttp://www.smokefreewarwickshire.org or call 0800 085 2917 or text LIFE to 80800