SNIFFER dogs are set to be used as part of a crackdown on the sale of illegal tobacco across Hampshire.

The dogs are being employed as part of a high profile campaign called ‘Keep It Out’ led by Trading Standards officers from Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth Councils supported by local Public Health teams.

Illegal tobacco products are either cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco, shisha or bidis, which have been smuggled, bootlegged or are counterfeit.

The illegal tobacco trade makes it easier for children to start smoking, takes advantage of cash-strapped families, and helps fund organised crime.

As part of the campaign officers will be calling on the public’s help to help stamp out the trade in Hampshire.

Dr Bob Coates, Interim Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council, said: “We are working closely with our partners in Hampshire and Portsmouth to stamp out illegal tobacco in our region.

"Far from being a victimless crime, illegal tobacco helps fund organised crime, can make it even more difficult for those trying to give up and deepens health inequalities.”

Councillor Patricia Stallard, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Health and Public Health, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco is a serious criminal offence.

"These criminal activities severely damage the local economy and legitimate traders by gaining a competitive advantage at their expense, and taking trade away from genuine hard-working businesses.

"As it becomes harder for under 18s to buy from legitimate sources, illegal tobacco trading creates a cheap source that fuels smoking by young people, giving them habits that put their health at risk into adulthood."

“There are estimated to be around 200,000 smokers in Hampshire and the cost of smoking to society across Hampshire as a whole is around £302 million per year, including health and social care costs, loss of productivity in businesses and dealing with waste and fires caused by cigarettes.”

Trading Standards officers and Public health officials are staging a ‘roadshow’ style event where they will be joined by specially-trained tobacco detection dogs Phoebe, YoYo and Scamp at an Illegal Tobacco Mobile Unit whilst spreading the message of the Keep It Out campaign.

The unit will be visiting a series of shopping centres including:

  • Monday 18 July at Asda in Portsmouth
  • Tuesday 19 July in Gosport town centre market
  • Wednesday 20 July at Above Bar Southampton
  • Thursday 21 July in Aldershot market
  • Friday 22 July at Shirley Precinct, Southampton
  • Saturday 23 July in Commercial Road, Portsmouth

The campaign aims to help the public know what illegal tobacco looks like, what the dangers are and encourages them to keep their eyes open and report illegal tobacco being sold in their neighbourhood.

Residents are being urged to come and visit the unit between 9am and 3:30pm to meet Phoebe, YoYo and Scamp and find out more about illegal tobacco and how it affects communities.

Phoebe, who is an ex-rescue dog, will be demonstrating how she has helped officers sniff out thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco, which is often hidden behind fake walls or in unusual locations.

The information about where the illegal tobacco was being sold has often come from members of the public.

For more information visit www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk/share-info-anonymously or call 0300 999 6 999.