Please provide:
1. The number of illicit cigarettes seized, broken down by year, in the last ten years (2013-2023).
| Number of Cigarette Packets | |
| 1st January 2023 > 31st Dec 2023 | 27,977 |
| 1st January 2022 > 31st Dec 2022 | 22,400 |
| 1st January 2021 > 31st Dec 2021 | 13,813 |
Information is not available prior to 1/1/2021. The data given relates to the Heart of the South West Trading Standards area which includes the areas covered by Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Somerset Council and Torbay Council.
2. The amount of hand-rolling tobacco seized, broken down by year, in the last ten years (2013-2023).
| Number of Tobacco Pouches (50g) | |
| 1st January 2023 > 31st Dec 2023 | 6827 |
| 1st January 2022 > 31st Dec 2022 | 1951 |
| 1st January 2021 > 31st Dec 2021 | 1731 |
Information is not available prior to 1/1/2021. The data given relates to the Heart of the South West Trading Standards area which includes the areas covered by Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Somerset Council and Torbay Council.
3. The number of Trading Standard officers in operation seizing illicit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco in your area, and the number for each of the last ten years (2013-2023).
We have a lead officer for illicit tobacco and vapes and staff from across the Trading Standards Service will carry out test purchases at premises and exercise warrants / seize illicit goods as needed.