JTI has removed tobacco gantries from two stores in Yorkshire following prosecutions by local Trading Standards for selling illegal cigarettes and tobacco.
Charlie Cunningham-Reid, UK Head of Corporate Affairs for JTI commented: “Given the offence committed by this retailer, JTI has decided that the removal of our gantry was the most appropriate course of action. If this type of crime continues, customers will lose trust in their local shops as the false impression grows that all of the independent trade is rife with ‘dodgy cigarettes’.
“Our commitment to support the actions of Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is steadfast and we must work together to take a stand against illegal tobacco.”
HMRC welcomed JTI’s action and urged anyone who knows of criminals supplying illegal cigarettes in their area to phone the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.
