Crackdown on illegal tobacco gathers pace with over £1.4 million in penalties issued 17 February 2026

A major UK wide crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade has now resulted in more than £1.4 million in civil penalties, as a strengthened enforcement partnership between National Trading Standards (NTS), local authority Trading Standards teams — including Cheshire West and Chester Council — and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) continues to deliver tough action against offenders.The milestone—initially reaching £1 million in late November 2025—continued to rise sharply, reaching £1.4 million by early January 2026. This reflects the growing number of investigations and the faster, tougher sanctions now being deployed against those supplying or selling illicit tobacco across the UK, including within west Cheshire.

Under enhanced powers introduced in July 2023, Trading Standards officers can make direct referrals to HMRC, triggering investigations and civil penalties of up to £10,000. Since the referral process began in October 2023, this approach has generated unprecedented sanctions, escalating swiftly for repeat offenders.

Retailers caught selling illegal tobacco also risk being removed from the Tobacco Track and Trace (TT&T) system, locking them out of the legitimate UK market.

The clampdown forms part of Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between HMRC and Trading Standards. Since its launch in 2021, the operation has removed more than 74 million illicit cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand rolling tobacco, and nearly 175kg of shisha products from sale. Locally, Cheshire West and Chester Council Trading Standards continues to play a critical role in identifying illegal sellers and protecting residents from the harms linked to illicit tobacco.

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