Kent sees 588% rise in shops having illegal goods seized
KCC added that its trading standards team seized almost two million illegal cigarettes, 605.5kg (95st 5lb) of hand-rolling tobacco and 25,476 illicit vapes in 2024-25."These seizures were concentrated in areas such as Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford, and included sophisticated concealment methods such as hidden compartments behind showers," it said.Freedom of Information request responses from 169 councils across Britain showed 3,624 shops in Britain had illegal cigarettes, tobacco or vaping products seized from them in the 2024-25 financial year - down slightly from 3,664 in 2023-24.The BBC investigation also found many shops seized from were convenience stores, mini marts and vape shops.James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said he supported enforcement action against businesses knowingly selling illegal products.
He added: "At the moment, too many shady businesses are taking the risk on selling illicit goods because the financial reward outweighs any possible repercussions."
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