Measures to curb the sale of illegal tobacco and vape products across Haringey have taken another considerable step after Pippa, the vigilant detection dog, helped seize over £20,000 of products following a visit to local businesses.
Together with Trading Standards and WagTail UK, Haringey Council removed 8,740 illegal cigarettes, 1,985 non-compliant disposable vapes as well as various other products from two businesses across the borough. This totalled £22,909.
Pippa’s first stop was in the heart of Wood Green where she made her way around the shop as well as the adjoining business next door, which is used a stock room, and managed to find 8,140 cigarettes, 10kg of loose shisha tobacco, and nine pouches of rolling tobacco.
In addition to this, Pippa discovered 1,500 non-compliant disposable vapes. Vapes in the UK should not exceed 600 puffs; however, the shop offered its customers vapes with up to 10,000.
Further inspections were carried out and Pippa detected 600 non-paid duty cigarettes as well as 485 non-compliant vapes. In addition to this, officers also identified various un-prescribed medication.
All items were seized by the officers and further investigations will take done, following these offences. The appropriate enforcement action will then be taken.
Cllr Adam Jogee, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, said: “Once again, our diligent trading standard officers, along with the exceptional detection dogs from Wag Tail UK have successfully prevented attempts to sell illegal tobacco and vapes to our residents.
“Maintaining the integrity of our local markets, safeguarding the community and combating the illicit tobacco trade will play a significant role in ensuring our residents live healthier lives and fair trading is practised across the borough. We will do everything we can and ensure tough enforcement action is taken to achieve this.”
Our Trading Standards Team work very closely with Public Health colleagues to ensure that the illegal goods we are tackling and taking off the street have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local people.
