Worcestershire trading standards seize thousands of illegal tobacco products

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 07:01 · Archive

Trading standards officers in Worcestershire seized over 170,000 illicit cigarettes and 71kg of hand rolling tobacco in 2025/26.

Trading standards officers in Worcestershire seized more than 170,000 illicit cigarettes, 71kg of hand rolling tobacco and 4,200 non-compliant vaping products from businesses across the county in 2025/26.

Simon Wilkes, Worcestershire's head of trading standards, told the county council's overview and scrutiny performance board that seizure numbers were down on previous years. He attributed the fall in non-compliant vapes to the law outlawing single-use vapes in 2025 and the availability of relatively cheap compliant alternatives. The reduction in illicit tobacco reflects a different challenge: criminals are adapting by keeping less stock on premises and storing products elsewhere instead.

"Part of the work this year is to work out how we find those storage places," Wilkes said. Andy Boote, head of service for safer communities, said tackling illicit tobacco has implications beyond trading standards, affecting public health, community safety and organised crime. He added that the team has expanded closure activity across the county.

How it is being reported

• Criminals hiding illegal tobacco away from Worcestershire shops to evade raidsTHOUSANDS of illegal vaping and tobacco products were seized across Worcestershire last year.Malvern Gazette · 19 Oct, 06:00
• Criminals hiding illegal tobacco away from Worcestershire shops to evade raidsTHOUSANDS of illegal vaping and tobacco products were seized across Worcestershire last year.Worcester News · 19 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Worcestershire · West Mercia Police · Simon Wilkes · Andy Boote

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