A LEADING tobacco and vaping company has removed its equipment from a Wirral shop after it was found to be selling cigarettes illegally. 

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) took down its gantries at Go Local on Trafalgar Road in Wallasey following test purchasing that revealed the shop was selling tobacco illegally. 

In October 2023, a 50g pouch of Amber Leaf hand-rolling tobacco was bought for £5.00, together with a pack of Richmond cigarettes for £4.50. In a return visit to the store in early November, a 50g pouch of Amber Leaf was bought for £18.00, alongside a pack of Marlboro Gold cigarettes for £6.50.   

As a result JTI has terminated its relationship with the store and removed its gantries.  

Ian Howell, public affairs manager at JTI, said: “The illegal tobacco trade remains a serious problem in the UK. In fact, an analysis of data from the Office for National Statistics undertaken by JTI suggests that spending on illegal tobacco products in the UK is double the amount spent on narcotics.  

“With the government’s proposed generation ban, we feel there is a real risk that this could only exacerbate the issue of illicit trade, handing more money to serious and organised crime groups that manufacture and sell illegal tobacco and vapes.”   

If anyone is aware of a store that is selling illicit tobacco or vapes, they should report them by calling Trading Standards through the Citizen Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or contact HM Revenue & Customs’ Fraud Hotline (0800 788 887), or Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).