From: This is Bristol
PEOPLE in the Bristol area are being warned of the dangers of buying illicit or counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco from unauthorised outlets.
North Somerset Council has issued a warning after a recent prosecution following a raid at a car boot sale in Bleadon, near Weston-super-Mare, last September.
Two men were arrested as a result of the incident and bailed pending further investigations by Trading Standards.
Paul James Mackay, of Midsomer Norton, appeared at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court, on March 30, when he pleaded guilty to six offences.
These were selling Richman cigarettes which had a tar content 39 per cent in excess of the legal limit and which had a carbon monoxide content 45 per cent in excess of the legal limit.
In addition he sold Richman cigarettes which did not have the correct safety labelling such as written warnings and yield statement in relation to the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels.
The other offences involved selling Golden Virginia hand rolling tobacco that did not have the correct safety labelling in English and failing to display the following notice – “It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18”. Finally he pleaded guilty to possession for sale of counterfeit Golden Virginia hand rolling tobacco.
Mackay received a community punishment requiring him to be tagged and observe a curfew on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 8pm for the next six months, preventing him from attending car boot sales at the weekend.
He was also ordered to pay £1,242.72 costs.
Mackay had all his tobacco products seized, and his Ford Transit van.
