North West mums who are worried about the impact illegal tobacco is having on their communities have inspired a new crack down which hopes to ‘Get Some Answers’ about how it ends up in the hands of children and young people in their areas.
Over 8,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17 in the North West admitted to regularly buying fake cigarettes last year, according to a survey by Trading Standards in the North West.*
A recent You Gov survey** highlighted that 74 per cent of people support a crack down on tobacco smuggling. Around 75 per cent of people – many of them mums – who took part in a 2009 NEMS survey were more likely to report someone for selling tobacco if they thought their own children may be at risk from being targeted.
Responding to this and public concern, the ‘Get Some Answers’ Campaign is being launched today by Smokefree North West and enforcement teams from Trading Standards in the region.
The campaign, which is launching simultaneously across the North West and the North East of England, will specifically target mums and other concerned residents in communities who want to keep illegal tobacco out
It will ask them to call crime stoppers or trading standards confidentially with any information they have.
Andrea Crossfield, Director of Smokefree North West, said: “Many people may be tempted to buy tobacco from an acquaintance at work or in the pub who takes regular trips abroad – no questions asked and without realising the damage it is doing in their communities. They may even return from their own holidays with it without knowing the harm it can cause.”
“Illegal tobacco is easily available and cheap, making it a key reason why children and young people are able to start smoking. This campaign will now give parents the opportunity to change things and tackle this problem.
“Smoking is sadly an addiction of childhood with most smokers – 80 per cent, starting as teenagers. Tackling illicit tobacco is crucial if we’re going to prevent future generations form taking up smoking.”
Peter Astley, from Trading Standards North West, said: “We know there are many concerned residents across the North West who may not have known how serious this issue is or what action to take. Our research shows that one in five adult smokers admits to buying illegal cigarettes or tobacco.
“We are encouraging people to stop and think about where their cheap tobacco originally comes from, even if they think they’re buying from a trusted source. This is an evil trade, and there are
wider implications of their actions.
Illegal cigarettes are often purchased from people you know and trust but there is a long supply chain that goes hand in hand with drugs and alcohol smuggling. People are using it as an opportunity to earn some money, making them not care about who they sell the tobacco to.”
For more information or to report illegal cigarettes sales, people are being urged to log onto www.get-some-answers.co.uk or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Trading Standards North West 01925 442 466.
*The recent survey for Trading Standards North West carried out by Ci research interviewed young people in the North West during March/April 2009 and showed that illicit tobacco is a significant source for young people. Nearly 13,902 14 to 17 year olds completed the questionnaire and of these 22% said they were smokers.
When asked about their buying habits:
- Nearly one in five (19%) bought from street sellers, vans, neighbours or private houses
- 60% had bought packs of cigarettes with health warnings in a foreign language
- Up to 50% said they had bought fake cigarettes
- There had been a significant fall since a similar survey in 2007 in the numbers saying they bought from off-licences and newsagents. This was attributed to the introduction of the law banning sales to the under 18s. However, those surveyed still cited such shops as one of their main sources of tobacco
Agencies involved in the development of the North of England Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health programme include regional public health organisations (including Smokefree North West, Fresh (Smoke Free North East), and Smokefree Yorkshire & the Humber), trading standards groups, local authorities, the Association of Chief Police Officers, local police forces, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and the newly formed UK Border Agency.
**YouGov survey: Total sample size was 10276 adults (1442 in the North West). Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th and 22nd March 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all England adults (aged 18+).
Tags: Campaigns, get some answers, Illicit Tobacco, Young people
