Illegal tobacco seized from three Shirley shops in crackdown

Trading standards officers have seized illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from three shops in Shirley following a joint enforcement operation.

Southampton City Council’s trading standards team, working alongside the neighbourhood policing team and the Modern Slavery Organised Immigration Crime team, targeted retailers suspected of selling illicit tobacco products.

Officers visited Fajny Sklep and UK Zabka on Shirley Road, as well as Max Mini Market on Church Street. Illegal tobacco was found and confiscated at all three premises.

The products had been deliberately concealed, but officers were able to uncover the hidden stock using their experience in identifying common hiding places used to store illegal goods.

The council said tackling the sale of illicit tobacco remains a priority as part of its wider public health strategy. Cheap, unregulated tobacco can undermine efforts to reduce smoking rates and is often linked to wider criminal activity.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Reducing the harm caused by tobacco helps to create a healthier city and is a priority for the council. Disrupting the supply of illegal tobacco products in Southampton supports this priority.”

Residents who want help to quit smoking are being encouraged to access free support services. People are up to three times more likely to quit successfully with expert help.

Support is available via the Quitline on 0800 999 1485, through the NHS Better Health website, or by visiting the council’s stop smoking webpage.