Two individuals have been found guilty of selling illicit tobacco.
During September 2022, employees at Lande Supermarket Ltd in Worthing received warnings against selling unlawful e-cigarettes following a routine check of the premises.
However, by October 2022 additional concerns surfaced after Trading Standards received multiple complaints.
Officers carried out investigations and conducted undercover purchases at the Rowlands Road establishment, uncovering repeated violations.
Additional guidance was provided in June 2023, when officials directed the company to withdraw oversized illegal vaping devices from shelves and reminded them of the obligation to display an age-restricted tobacco notice.
Despite this, illegal tobacco persisted on sale and one of the undercover purchases resulted in a transaction to someone under age.
Inspections discovered tobacco items stored away inside a large industrial refrigerator in the stockroom.
Over the course of several visits, officers confiscated 2,420 cigarettes and 1.6 kilograms of hand rolling tobacco, 60 packets of premium shisha, 36 disposable e-cigarettes with capacities exceeding legal limits, and 20 fake Samsung-branded electronic products.
Kaiwan Osman and Omar Eanahi faced Lewes Crown Court on February 9 this year where they acknowledged multiple offences connected to supplying counterfeit, duty-evaded and otherwise illegal tobacco products.
Sentencing took place at Lewes Crown Court on June 12. Omar Mohammadi Eanahi received a nine-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. Kaiwan Osman was given a nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months alongside 150 hours of community service.
The court took into account the total excise duty avoided, estimated at £1,500, together with the repeated nature of the offences and the failure to heed earlier cautions.
Councillor Tracie Bangert, cabinet member for community support, fire and rescue at West Sussex County Council, said this result demonstrates a significant achievement for Trading Standards staff and highlights how seriously the sale of illegal tobacco is treated.
The case forms part of ongoing countywide efforts to tackle illicit tobacco, support legitimate businesses, and safeguard the wellbeing of residents.
A West Sussex County Council spokesperson stated that anyone with worries about establishments selling illegal tobacco should telephone 0808 223 1133 or report the matter online to Trading Standards.
While illegal tobacco presents particular dangers, it should be noted that all tobacco products cause harm. Tobacco consumption remains among the top preventable causes of death, contributing to serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and long-term respiratory illness.
Quitting smoking represents the best approach to protecting health. Free assistance is available to help people stop, including vaping products and nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, gum and lozenges. Residents can access the Smokefree West Sussex website or telephone 0330 222 7980 to obtain digital, telephone and in-person support.