Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards supports national campaign to tackle illegal tobacco

Eight premises have been shut down as Cheshire West and Chester steps up its fight against illegal tobacco.

Behind the Butt is a new National Trading Standards campaign that is supported with funding from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

More than 33 million illicit cigarettes have been seized from local retail outlets across the UK in the past year as part of Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HMRC to tackle the illicit tobacco trade.

The haul of illicit products also includes more than 9,000kg of hand-rolling tobacco, with a combined revenue value of nearly £24 million.

Since its launch in January 2021, Operation CeCe has removed 102 million illicit cigarettes, 20,550kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, helping to disrupt organised crime groups and protect communities across the UK.

The latest figures show enforcement activity continues to deliver results in Cheshire West and Chester.

So far in 2026/27, Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards has:

• Seized more than 200,000 illicit cigarettes
• Seized 50kg of illicit tobacco
• Supported action resulting in £35,000 in HMRC civil penalties
• Secured the closure of eight premises for three months due to illegal tobacco sales

This builds on significant enforcement activity during 2025/26, when officers:

• Seized more than 152,000 illicit cigarettes
• Seized 23kg of illicit tobacco
• Supported action resulting in £32,500 in HMRC civil penalties
• Secured the closure of five premises for three months

Operation CeCe targets the illicit tobacco trade, which is driven by organised criminal gangs often operating through seemingly legitimate retail premises. Illegal tobacco products are frequently sold at lower prices, making them more accessible to young people and undermining responsible local businesses that comply with the law.

Councillor Stuart Bingham, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride, said:

"Illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime. It damages health, fuels organised criminal activity and undermines legitimate local businesses.

"Our Trading Standards officers are committed to working with National Trading Standards and HMRC to protect our communities and ensure retailers in Cheshire West and Chester play by the rules. We will continue to act on intelligence, carry out inspections and support robust penalties for those who choose to break the law."

Lord Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:

"These latest results show that Trading Standards is building an increasingly detailed intelligence picture of the illicit tobacco trade and using it to target enforcement where it will have the greatest impact.

“Those who choose to sell illicit tobacco should be under no illusion – the chances of being identified are growing, and we will continue working with partners to disrupt this criminal trade, protect consumers and bring offenders to justice."

Residents and retailers are encouraged to report any concerns about illegal tobacco sales in their area.

Report anonymously to HMRC online.

Or contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133