Trading Standards and NHS Snuff Out Illegal Tobacco
Friday 26th November
2010
As part of National Mouth Cancer Month, NHS Bedfordshire is keen
to raise awareness of the dangers of using illegal tobacco
products, which are not appropriately labelled, such as chewing and
snuff tobacco. Working in partnership with the NHS, Trading
Standards officers are cracking down on businesses that sell the
illicit substances and have recently seized a substantial quantity
of the illegal products.
The use of these substances is directly associated with an
increased risk of contracting mouth, nasal and throat cancers.
Trading Standards officers visited several retail outlets within
Bedford and found businesses selling products which were illegal as
they did not carry the appropriate health warning labels.
Similarly, many of the products did not have relevant duty paid,
thus depriving the government of much needed revenue and leading to
unfair competition practices with other law abiding retailers
around the town.
In total, almost £230 worth of illicit tobacco products were
seized during these unannounced visits.
Councillor Nick Charsley, portfolio holder for Rural &
Corporate Affairs for Bedford Borough Council “We would urge local
businesses not to sell tobacco goods that are illegal and do not
meet the relevant labelling messages that are required by law. The
law is there for a reason and helps protect the consumer from
potentially very dangerous illicit products which can have a
serious affect on users’ health. It is of course a criminal offence
to sell such products which could lead to prosecution.”
Ros O’Connor, Tobacco Control Manager for NHS Bedfordshire
commented: “We are holding two drop in sessions on the
8th and 15th December at the Queens Park
Neighbourhood Centre in Bedford between 1.30 -4pm with the
intention of providing members of the community with information
about these products that are on the market. Such information will
hopefully assist consumers in making informed and healthy lifestyle
choices. There will be various health professionals on hand to
offer helpful advice around this important issue”
Knowing the symptoms of mouth cancer and catching the disease
early could save your life. Look out for:
· An
ulcer or white or red patch anywhere in the mouth that does not
heal within three weeks;
·
Difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the tongue or jaw;
·
Lumps, bumps or swellings anywhere in the mouth jaw or neck that
persists for more than three weeks;
·
Numbness in any part of the mouth;
· A
feeling that something is caught in the throat;
· A
very sore throat or hoarseness that lasts more than six weeks;
and
·
Unexplained loosening of teeth
If you would like more information about the drop in sessions or
how to stop your tobacco or cigarette use please call NHS
Bedfordshire’s Stop Smoking Service on 0800 013
0553.