SNIFFER dogs will take to the streets of Southampton in a bid to clamp down on illegal tobacco.

Southampton City Council says the illicit trade makes it easier for children to start smoking, takes advantage of cash-strapped families, and helps fund organised crime.

Illegal products include hand-rolling tobacco, cigarettes and shisha tobacco, and make up about 13 per cent of the cigarette market and 32 per cent of hand-rolled tobacco.

Trading Standards and Public Health at Southampton City Council will be joined by specially-trained tobacco detection dogs Phoebe, YoYo and Scamp and handler Stu Phillips at the Illegal Tobacco Module Unit from 10am until 4pm on Wednesday, April 26 in Above Bar Street.

Ex-rescue dog Phoebe will demonstrate how she has helped sniff out thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco, which the council says is often hidden behind fake walls.

Rosie Zambra, Service Lead for Environment, Street Scene and Health at Southampton City Council, said: "All tobacco is harmful but illegal tobacco makes it easier for children to start smoking and get hooked. Sellers rarely care who they sell to.

"Our work in this area, through Public Health and Trading Standards, can make a real difference - fewer people are buying illegal tobacco and fewer people are now prepared to turn a blind eye.

"People can make a real difference to help keep more illegal tobacco off the streets by reporting it. We need to keep the pressure up on those who continue to sell it."

Anyone who wants to report illegal tobacco trading can visit www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk/share-inf-anonymously or call 0300 999 6 999.