CIVIC chiefs from across the county are launching a new scheme to highlight the dangers and consequences of illegal tobacco.

Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Southampton City Councils are launching the initiative in the form of a video, social media campaign and teaching in schools across the region.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with young people from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and made by students at Solent University.

The councils commissioned the campaign to make young people aware of the dangers of smoking illegal tobacco and encourage them to report any incidents to the police and trading standards.

Illegal tobacco sales are an ongoing problem which were highlighted in a series of roadshows across the county in 2016 and 2017.

A survey found 8.4 per cent of 15-year-olds in Hampshire, or 900 out of 10,800, smoke regularly while in 2015, 46 per cent of 11-16-year-olds who bought tobacco brought it from illegal sources.

As previously reported, a Daily Echo investigation found that several retailers in Southampton were selling illegal tobacco swamped with rat droppings, human excrement, dead insects and other harmful ingredients putting smokers at risk.

Councillor Dave Shields, cabinet member for health and sustainable living at Southampton City Council, said: “Sellers of illegal tobacco are profiting from illegal activity.

“Illegal tobacco makes it much easier for children and young people to start smoking.

“Sellers don’t care who buys it, there are no age checks and children are often actively targeted by sellers.

County councillor Patricia Stallard added: “This trade encourages the take up of smoking among young people. We hope to stamp it out.”

To report the selling of illegal tobacco call 0300 999 6 999.