We work with our partner agencies to investigate and prosecute people and businesses who sell:
- illegal tobacco products
- tobacco products to children
- tobacco products that do not comply with health and brand labelling laws
Illegal tobacco products often have:
- non-plain packages
- foreign language health warnings
- lower prices compared to genuine tobacco products
How to report illegal tobacco
Anyone can report illegal tobacco products. You do not have to give your name.
- Report consumer crime anonymously to London Trading Standards
- Email tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
- Call Royal Greenwich Trading Standards on 020 8921 8157.
Our work to stop illegal tobacco in Royal Greenwich
Illegal vapes
Since 2021, we have made 103 test purchases of vapes using underage volunteer test purchasers.
- 16 tests and 1 sale in July to September 2022
- 27 tests and 3 sales in October to December 2022
- 10 tests and 1 sale in April to June 2023
- 32 tests and 2 sales in January to March 2024
- 5 tests and 2 sales in April to June 2024
- 13 tests and 2 sales in July to September 2024
There were 5 prosecutions and 2 premises licence reviews following these sales.
- 1 prosecution in October to December 2022
- 1 prosecution in April to June 2023
- 1 prosecution and 1 licence review in January to March 2024
- 2 prosecutions and 1 licence review in July to September 2024
We regularly inspect vape products on sale in the borough and provide guidance to retailers. Since 2021, we have seized 5,476 illegal vape products (including voluntary surrenders).
- 587 products in April to June 2022
- 1,412 products in July to September 2022
- 1,347 products in October to December 2022
- 478 products in January to March 2023
- 775 products in April to June 2023
- 189 products in October to December 2023
- 681 products in April to June 2024
- 7 products in July to September 2024
There were 2 prosecutions of illegal vape sellers, both in July to September 2023.
Illegal cigarettes and tobacco
Since 2021, we have seized 12,019 packs of illegal cigarettes.
- 210 packs in April to June 2021
- 2,275 packs in January to March 2022
- 833 packs in April to June 2022
- 276 packs in July to September 2022
- 314 packs in October to December 2022
- 2,951 packs in April to June 2023
- 1,481 packs in October to December 2023
- 3,492 packs in April to June 2024
- 187 packs in July to September 2024
There have been 7 prosecutions, 1 closure order and 1 voluntary closure of a premises selling illegal tobacco since 2021.
- 1 prosecution in January to March 2022
- 3 prosecutions in October to December 2022
- 3 prosecutions and 1 closure order in July to September 2023
- 1 voluntary closure in April to June 2024
News stories
- Hefty fine for business caught selling illegal tobacco - April 2018
- No cigarettes for minors after our successful operation with the Met Police - February 2019
- Illegally smuggled cigarettes found stashed behind shop wall - August 2021
- Successful crack down on illegal tobacco sellers in Plumstead - September 2023
Find out more about our work to support community safety in Royal Greenwich.