Another closure order secured: Thornaby shop selling illicit tobacco
A third Thornaby shop found to be selling illicit tobacco to customers has now been closed.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council secured a three-month closure order of the shop at 91, Lanehouse Road, Thornaby at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, January 27.
The Court heard how complaints had been made from the public regarding illicit tobacco sales after the nearby Westbury Shop on Westbury Street was issued with a three-month Closure Order on December 18, 2025, followed by the Green Mini Market on Havelock Street being handed a three-month Closure Order last Tuesday, January 20.
Test purchases carried out confirmed cigarettes sold at the premises failed to comply with the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 and did not have a combined health warning in accordance with the requirements under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
The test purchases also confirmed that cigarettes bought from 91 Lanehouse Road were found to be counterfeit, in contravention of the Trade Marks Act 1994.
The illicit cigarettes were sold for £5, well below the usual market price of cigarettes.
Trading Standards officers also seized 8260 illegal cigarettes and 39 pouches (1.950kg) of hand rolling illicit tobacco from open display in holdalls and in a food delivery bag.
Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "In just over one month our Trading Standards have successfully managed to issue Closure Orders to three shops local to Thornaby which have all been found to be selling illicit tobacco.
"Shop owners think they can move their stock to a nearby premises as soon as one is closed and carry on with their illegal sales.
"But our Trading Standards will be waiting to strike as they have shown with their sterling efforts in issuing these Closure Orders.
"The public can also play their part and I'd like to encourage people to continue reporting any sales of illicit, counterfeit cigarettes to us so we can take the necessary action.
"Anyone concerned about the sale of illegal cigarettes can contact our Trading Standards team by calling 01642 526560 or emailing trading.standards@stockton.gov.uk.
"You can also report illegal tobacco sales quickly and anonymously by visiting the Keep it Out reporting website."
This work was carried out as part of Operation Cece, which is run in partnership with the National Trading Standards and HMRC to help tackle the sales of illicit tobacco.
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said: "The illicit tobacco trade is driven by organised criminal gangs and poses serious risks to local communities, especially young people.
"Since its launch in January 2021, Operation CeCe - a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC - has removed 69 million illegal cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, helping to clamp down on this illicit trade and protect communities and honest businesses across the UK."
