Powers must stop criminal activity, say c-store bosses
Retailers hit out over menace blighting communities
CONVENIENCE retailers from across central Scotland have spoken of an explosion in the illicit nicotine trade.
They have warned how rogue store operators are targeting children and risking people’s health with cheap, fake products, while also criticising the authorities for failing to act.
Veteran retailer Saleem Sadiq said the illicit trade, once hidden in dodgy markets, was a huge problem being run out of stores in communities nationwide.
He warned counterfeit tobacco was creating a major health issue and societal problem because of the dangerous substances found in illegally made cigarettes.
The Spar Renfrew boss said: “One of my staff went into a shop and asked what were their cheapest cigarettes.
“She was given what appeared to be a pack from a well-known brand and when she handed over £20, she got £15 change. When she said there must be some mistake, the cashier offered her something cheaper.”
Saleem accused ministers, police and trading standards of not taking the problem seriously.
He said: “The authorities know who the traders are but they say they want to catch the major criminals behind the operations. But if they stopped the traders, the big crooks wouldn’t exist.”
He claimed raided stores only had stock seized and received small fines. He said: “These stores should be shut down and the owners jailed.”
Jawad Javed, of A&J Alloa Road Shop – Spar, Stenhousemuir, said he was aware of two local unlicensed stores selling illegal cigarette packs for as little as £5.
He claimed one trader had sold illicit nicotine products for years, returning to the criminal activity despite raids because it was so profitable.
Jawad said: “These shops are only concerned about making money and my worry is for the high school children. We take our responsibilities very seriously because we respect our community and look after them.
“If you go to the police or to trading standards, it seems to be all about talking but not taking action. You begin to think that it’s not worth complaining.”
Natalie Lightfoot, of Londis Solo Convenience, Baillieston, Glasgow, believes many illicit trade stores are fronts for money laundering and target children.
She said: “Every responsible retailer has a story about illicit traders and the authorities are failing to clamp down on them, especially for underage sales.
“It’s an epidemic because they know nothing is going to happen to them. The police argument that they are after the big guys is ridiculous. Shutting these shops down would stop them.
“There are shops out there selling American sweets, clearly targeting children and selling vapes to kids in school uniforms for £5 cash at a time.
“But we have a responsibility for customers and their welfare, and to follow the protocols.”
Tracy McNeil, manager at Clydebank Co-op KeyStore More Kilbowie, told how she gave trading standards a pack of a well-known brand of cigarettes bought at a nearby shop for £6.
The pack had no track and trace markings and an officer told her the cigarettes were coming in from Poland.
But when Tracy phoned 10 days later for an update, she was told they couldn’t discuss it as an investigation was ongoing.
Equally, if retailers report anonymously, they can’t find out what action is taken.
Sophie Williams, of Premier Broadway, Oxgangs, Edinburgh, fears the illicit trade will escalate even more once the disposable vape ban comes into force, because irresponsible retailers will continue to source single-use products and sell them.
She said: “Responsible retailers will need to ensure the police and trading standards crack down on the sale of disposables. The firms that make them should recall them and ensure there’s no way to get stock.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said trading standards were the lead agency over the issue, adding that the police would only comment on specific incidents investigated by them.
Alexandra Connell, chair of the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland, said disposable vape littering, health concerns for under-18s accessing products and organised crime group activity were the “highest priority” despite drastic staffing cuts.
She said fixed penalties were issued to those selling to under-18s but admitted obtaining banning orders after three offences was a difficult process.
To combat illegal tobacco, she said teams had run 60 operations and seized more than a million cigarettes and half a tonne of rolling tobacco since April 2024, with almost 90 referrals to HMRC to impose penalties of up to £10,000.
The illicit trade was highlighted at the inaugural Scottish Grocer retailers’ forum meeting in Glasgow. The magazine team is committed to long-term campaigning on behalf of c-store retailers.
If you wish to raise any issues, please email editor giles.blair@peeblesmedia.com.
