Rising trends in ts work: e-cigarettes and illicit tobacco

Posted 13/10/14

The 2013 -14 TSI Tobacco Control Survey is now out and shows changing trends in trading standards activities in this area.

For the first time in over ten years of data collection, the most common tobacco control activity is not that in relation to underage sales but instead tackling the supply illicit tobacco.  

91% of the responding councils have taken action in relation to illicit tobacco and 88% in relation to preventing under age sales of tobacco products.  

The report also shows that 65% of council are reporting taking action in relation to electronic cigarettes.  This in in line with an increasing availability and usage of these products by consumers. 

This annual survey of activity carried out in English councils conducted by TSI on behalf of the Department of Health provides the most detailed picture possible of the scope and level of tobacco control activity undertaken. There was an exceptionally high response rate of 98%.

To support the under-age sales aspect of trading standards work the Department of Health has recently commissioned TSI to develop and deliver a new project to run from December 2014 through to March 2015. This will seek to enhance competence in intelligence gathering for illegal under age sales of tobacco and provide a programme of testing by council trading standards. 

The project will be run by the regional coordinator network. 

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