The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: By working collaboratively with enforcement agencies and tobacco control alliances we sought to reduce illicit sales in the community Introduction Reducing the supply of illicit (smuggled and/or counterfeit) tobacco is an essential element of a tobacco control strategy.

Tobacco Control in the West Midlands region of England is coordinated by a multi-disciplinary network, which includes representation from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Methods: By being part of the Tobacco Control Network HMRC has been able to engage with a variety of organisations that contribute to intelligence gathering which is then used to target action to reduce sales of illicit products.

Dealing in smuggled goods is now accepted as being ‘anti-social' and this has allowed Crime and Disorder legislation to be used to share of information between agencies and has encouraged joint action.

Results: Collaborative working, including the use of information sharing protocols, has benefited both the customs service and tobacco control.

Joint visits with public sector housing associations to tenants in particular locations where they are suspected of trading in illegal product have been made. The threat of possible eviction combined with prosecution has reduced repeat offences to zero thereby removing low-priced and inferior product from the community.

Trading Standards officers have assisted in the seizure of counterfeit products. Working with the police licensed (drinks) premises are also controlled.

Joint initiatives with tobacco control specialists have lead to campaigns in workplaces where smuggled goods have been known to have been sold.

The presentation will give practical examples of effective joint working.