Illicit tobacco: JTI removes gantries from three stores

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has removed tobacco gantries from three retailers convicted of selling illegal tobacco products.

The removal of JTI gantries from NJ Food & Wine in Staines, Kenton Superstores in Harrow and KS News in Bilston takes the total number of gantries removed by the manufacturer to 43.

JTI, in a communication, called on other companies supplying products and services to these stores to review their relationships and consider if they want to continue doing business with them.

NJ Food & Wine was fined £3,066 plus costs in May 2019 after pleading guilty to illicit tobacco sales. Kenton Superstores was fined and ordered to pay costs of £3,000 in August 2019 after pleading guilty to possession of 700 packs of illegal cigarettes.

JTI removed gantries from both stores on in November.

The premises licence of KS News was revoked in August 2019 following seizure of 9,860 cigarettes in February. JTI has taken action against the store in December.

Any retailer aware of, or who suspects that illicit tobacco is being sold can report via the JTI website, or toTrading Standards (03454 04 05 06), HM Revenue & Customs’ Fraud Hotline (0800 788 887), or Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).