PEOPLE in the town are being warned about the dangers of illegal tobacco.

Swindon Council’s trading standards team, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service and Swindon Stop Smoking Service are supporting the Smokefree South West Illegal Tobacco campaign, which is highlighting the serious consequences the trade has on health, crime, safety and communities.

The initiative’s message is simple: while illegal tobacco may appear to be a bargain especially at Christmas, it is not a victimless crime.

Tell-tale signs are the cheap price, a foreign language on the packaging, unfamiliar brands, printing errors on the packs, no health warnings or an unusual taste.

Anyone wishing to report the selling of illegal tobacco can call the trading standards team anonymously at www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk, call charity Crimestopperson 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.