Islington and Camden join up to tackle illegal cigarettes (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Islington and Camden join up to tackle illegal cigarettes

July 18, 2002 12:00 AM

In the constant battle with the illegal cigarette sellers the Lib Dems have formed a new partnership to tackle the problem and highlight the probelms with buying illegal tabacco. The joint project linking Camden & Islington Health Action Zone, Camden & Islington Primary Care Trust and trading standards teams from both boroughs, counterfeit cigarettes were found to contain nearly twice the cancer-causing agents as the genuine article. Both boroughs have problems with counterfeit cigarette sales on the streets. The cigarettes are thought to be produced in eastern europe. Laboratory tests on counterfeit cigarettes sold on Kilburn streets revealed these shocking figures: (Compared with the genuine brand) - 75 per cent more tar - 28 per cent more nicotine - 63 per cent more carbon monoxide Councillor Meral Ece, Executive Member for Health & Social Care said: "Child smokers become adult smokers - with all the health implications that entails. We want to reduce sales of cigarettes to children and tackle underage smoking. Councillor George Allan, Executive Member for Customer Focus (including public protection) said: "Islington council is working with our partners in Camden, with the police and customs and excise to deal with the problem of illegal tobacco sellers in the borough. We would urge the public not to buy from these sources. The tests prove that anyone who assumed that cigarettes offered by street traders were duty-free goods being re-sold illegally, is wrong." ìThis proves that people take their lives in their hands if they buy illegal cigarettes. They contain a lot more cancer and heart disease producing chemicals, but thereís no knowing what else is in them. Even more alarming is the fact that some children who smoke are buying these counterfeit cigarettes.î