A freedom of information request made by Nub News has revealed that over 2 million illegal cigarettes and tobacco products have been seized in the area covered by Staffordshire County Council in the past five years.

A recent raid carried out by Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards, officers from Lichfield District Council's Environmental Health team and Lichfield Police on a shop in Lichfield saw officers seize 2,261 illegal cigarettes.

This led to the shop's closure for the maximum legal period of three months following a Closure Order being granted at Cannock Magistrates' Court.

Similar to legal tobacco, illegal cigarettes and tobacco products contain harmful substances however they pose an even greater threat as they are unregulated.

Scientific analysis of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco pouches found high levels of toxic metals like arsenic, mercury and lead.

Traces of weedkiller, sawdust and animal faeces have also been detected.

Illegal cigarettes and tobacco products are linked to low-level and large-scale organised crime both nationally and internationally.

They have been connected to child exploitation, money laundering and even terrorism.

According to the government website: "To deter people from smoking, we have also developed one of the highest tobacco taxation regimes in the world.

"These high duty rates, making tobacco less affordable, have helped reduce smoking prevalence in the UK from 26% in 2000 to 12.9% in 2022.

"Illicit tobacco, however, undermines these efforts.

"The illicit trade involves a range of tobacco products that are sold illegally, often to underaged users, without paying taxes (VAT and excise duty).

"It provides a cheap and unregulated supply of tobacco to those who might otherwise be deterred by cost."

How do you tell if cigarettes or tobacco might be illegal?

• Packaging is branded and colourful (legal packs are plain olive green)
• Odd number of cigarettes in the packet (legal packs contain 20)
• They are very cheap
• No health warning accompanied by a graphic image on packaging
• Foreign writing (health warnings should be in English)
• Sold singly

Information supplied by Staffordshire County Council can be seen below.

Number of illegal cigarettes and tobacco products seized across the area covered by Staffordshire County Council in the past year: 493112

In the past five years: 2148116

In the past six years (earliest data held): 2441626