Imperial Tobacco has released the latest instalment in its Suspect it? Report it! anti-illicit trade campaign.
The poster illustrates how counterfeit tobacco may be sold in the most seemingly unlikely of places; in this case an ice cream van. It continues a disturbing trend of criminals targeting youngsters with illegal tobacco products, undermining the Government’s youth access prevention programmes.
Peter Nelson, Imperial Tobacco Anti-Illicit Trade Manager commented: “Ice cream vans are traditionally associated with fun and childhood innocence, but some criminals are cynically using them as fronts to distribute illegal tobacco.
“For instance, this February an ice cream van was raided in County Durham. The haul allegedly contained 4,560 illicit cigarettes and 20.35kg of smuggled hand-rolling tobacco, with an estimated street value of £4,000. We also understand from the article that the van was known to park near primary schools, suggesting children may have been targeted.
“Our message remains clear: if you’ve any suspicions regarding illegal tobacco activity, don’t be silent. Suspect it? Then protect your local community and Report it!”
