Beware of illicit tobacco sales: advice to Sandwell businesses

You can be fined up to £10,000 for selling illicit tobacco. So we’ve got information to help your Sandwell business do the right thing.

Since 20 July 2023, local authorities have had greater authority to address the issue of illicit tobacco sales. You can now be fined up to £10,000 for selling illicit tobacco. This applies to individuals and businesses.

For our business community in Sandwell, it’s essential to be aware of the sanctions that now apply:

• The penalties for individuals and businesses breaking UK Tobacco Track and Trace regulations can range from £2,500 to £10,000
• Offenders may have their tobacco products seized
• Businesses can have their economic operator ID withdrawn so they lose their ability to purchase tobacco for resale in the UK.

“The trade in illegal tobacco affects honest businesses”

Illicit tobacco sales have significant adverse effects on both the economy and public health. So combatting the illicit tobacco trade is of utmost importance for our community’s wellbeing.

Lord Michael Bichard is Chair of National Trading Standards. He said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 27 million illegal cigarettes, 7,500kg of hand rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

If your Sandwell business is involved with the supply of tobacco (manufacturing, selling, transporting or transloading), here is the government guidance you need.

At the gov.uk website, you can also read more about the new Tobacco Track and Trace penalties.

Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards Team will enforce the new Tobacco Track and Trace penalties to keep customers safe and protect the reputations of Sandwell businesses that do the right thing.