Lincolnshire County Council removed more than 670,000 illegal cigarettes in 2024

More than 670,000 illicit cigarettes were removed from the county’s streets last year.

Lincolnshire County Council is stepping up its efforts to stop rogue traders putting residents' health at risk, after a report revealed a 150% increase in illegal cigarettes being removed in 2024.

As well as these drastic figures, 17,000 illegal vapes were seized in 2024, along with 370kg of hand rolling tobacco and 68 shops selling the counterfeit products were served with closure orders.

Executive member for trading standards at the county council Daniel McNally (Con), said: “Trading Standards officers and partners protect residents by removing these illegal products and lead the charge against the selfish rogue traders who peddle them.

“Make no mistake - these items are unsafe. Not only can they contain harmful, unregulated substances that damage health, they have also caused fatal house fires in Lincolnshire, and threaten the livelihoods of legitimate, hard working small business owners.

“There is absolutely no place for these illicit products on Lincolnshire streets.

“The criminals have been put on notice, we will continue to clamp down hard on the unscrupulous individuals who sell them.”

Also: Police footage reveals ingenious hiding spots criminals use to store illicit tobacco products

The work is the result of joining work between LCC trading standards officers, Lincolnshire Police and other partners.

The release of the report also coincides with the launch of Operation Nivada, a public awareness campaign showing the fight against illegal tobacco and an underworld of associated criminal activity.

The council’s Trading Standards team deploys a variety of measures against the rogue traders.

Staff conduct regular test purchasing and inspections, work with landlords to remove tenants, secure closure orders on premises and bring criminal cases before the courts.

Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes in Lincolnshire can visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer or call 0808 223 1133.

The figures form part of a report that will be discussed by councillors at the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee next Tuesday (February 25).