Illicit tobacco, including counterfeit cigarettes, poses serious risks to public health and fuels organised crime. Often concealed in storerooms and containers, these unregulated products cost the UK an estimated £2.8 billion in lost duty funding in 2021-2022.

Illegal tobacco is often sold through unregulated channels where age checks are not enforced, creating opportunities for young people to access these products more easily than they should. Profits from the illicit trade often support criminal networks involved in other serious offences, including drug smuggling, human trafficking and exploitation.

Smoking is the biggest preventable risk factor for poor health. Because the ingredients in illegal tobacco are unregulated, they may contain higher levels of harmful chemicals.

Walsall Council’s Trading Standards team, in partnership with Public Health and West Midlands Police, have been carrying out intelligence-led enforcement activity under ‘Operation Fearless’ across the borough to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses and keep communities safe. Since the start of Operation Fearless, over 58,560 cigarettes, 21.4kg of hand rolling tobacco, 60 pouches of unlabelled snuff and 533 disposable vapes have been seized.

Alongside enforcement activity, Walsall Council is encouraging smokers to use No Smoking Day as an opportunity to quit with free, friendly support available locally.

The council’s stop smoking services, which include Be Well Walsall and Quit with Bella, offer tailored advice, quit plans, access to nicotine replacement therapies and free regulated vapes to help residents give up for good. Specialist stop smoking support services are also provided by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust for inpatients and pregnant women.

“ We understand that quitting can be challenging, but no one has to do it alone. Our local stop smoking services provide free, expert support to help residents quit for good. Supporting people to quit also helps reduce the market that organised criminals exploit. “

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing
Walsall Council

“ The illicit tobacco trade causes real harm in our communities from putting children at risk to funding organised crime. We work closely with our partners to investigate and take action against those involved in this illegal trade, and we encourage residents to report concerns. “

Councillor Adam Hicken, Portfolio Holder for Enforcement and Safe Communities
Walsall Council

Residents can access free stop smoking support throughout the year by contacting Be Well Walsall on 01922 444044 or by visiting https://bww.maximusuk.co.uk/. 

Information about illicit sales, including underage sales, can be reported to Walsall Council Trading Standards by calling 0808 223 1133 or email tradingstandards@walsall.gov.uk.

• Be Well Walsall provides free, tailored support to quit smoking through face-to-face, phone or digital sessions. Up to 8 to 12 weeks of support is provided, including nicotine replacement therapy and regulated vapes (as a quit aid). Support is also available to quit vaping. Visit their website or call 01922 444044 to sign up.
• Quit with Bella, funded by Walsall Council, offers web based support from AI robocoach Bella plus guidance from a trained advisor, including a 12 week supply of nicotine replacement therapy and/or vapes sent by post. Sign up on 0800 772 3872 or walsall.stopsmoking@nhs.net or complete a referral form.
• Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust provides specialist services including the Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Service, offering behavioural support, NRT and regulated vapes for pregnant women and their partners. Call 01922 270477 to refer.
• The Trust’s Tobacco Dependency Service supports hospital inpatients who smoke or have smoked within the past 30 days, offering personalised help and NRT.
• Patients and companions attending Walsall Manor Hospital’s Emergency Department can access immediate stop smoking support and onward referrals. Email wht.tdt@nhs.net for details.
• Specialist support for mental health inpatients is offered through Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
• Residents are urged to report any information about the illegal sale of cigarettes, vapes, alcohol or counterfeit goods by contacting Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133 or email tradingstandards@walsall.gov.uk. Information can be passed to police by calling 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Walsall Stop Smoking Provider Alliance working together to help residents quit smoking.