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** 28 November 2022
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** UK
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** Trading Standards and police join forces to tackle illegal vape sales (#1)
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** International
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** Philip Morris International (PMI) to delist tobacco company Swedish Match after takeover (#2)
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written questions (#3)
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** UK
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** Trading Standards and police join forces to tackle illegal vape sales
Illegal vapes with a street value of approximately £7400 worth has been seized from a store in Plymouth following an operation by our Trading Standards working alongside police.
One visit resulted in the successful seizure of 740 ‘ELUX 3500’ disposable vapes. Vapes are a form of e-cigarette and must follow the requirements of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
The vape’s tank size was not only five times the legally permitted 2ml maximum, but they were not labelled with the contact details of the producer’s EU representative, nor listed with the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
The confiscated vapes, priced at £10 each, were voluntarily surrendered by the store owner and will now be disposed of.
Trading Standards officers reminded store owners of the regulations they must follow and of the consequences selling illegal goods or age restricted items to underage customers could have on their livelihoods.
Source: Devon County Council, 28 November 2022
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** International
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** Philip Morris International (PMI) to delist tobacco company Swedish Match after takeover
Philip Morris International (PMI) said on Monday it now owned a big enough stake in Swedish Match to initiate a compulsory redemption of remaining shares in its Swedish peer and would take it off the stock market.
Marlboro maker PMI in May launched a $16 billion takeover bid for the Swedish tobacco and nicotine products company.
"We are delighted to have obtained over 90% ownership of Swedish Match, allowing us to initiate a minority redemption process to acquire the remaining shares outstanding and request the delisting of the company from the stock market,” PMI Chief Executive Jacek Olczak said in a statement.
PMI claims that buying Swedish Match, with its popular wet snuff "snus" products and tobacco-free nicotine "ZYN" pouches, will aid PMI in its stated ambition to move away from health-harming cigarettes and eventually become a smoke-free company.
Source: Reuters, 28 November 2022
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written Questions
Asked by Mr Virendra Sharma, Labour, Ealing, Southall
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to include Trading Standards officers in the HMRC with the power to fine retailers for selling illicit tobacco products.
Answered by James Cartlidge, Exchequer Secretary
Trading Standards officers are not part of HMRC. They are a separate local government service.
However, HMRC works very closely with TS to tackle illicit tobacco. HMRC introduced legislation for tougher sanctions to tackle illicit tobacco sales in Finance Act 2022 including a new civil penalty of up to £10,000 for serious breaches. The new sanctions will take the innovative approach of HMRC and Trading Standards (TS) both working together to enforce them. Secondary legislation will be introduced next year setting out the detail on how the sanctions will operate.
Source: Hansard, 28 November 2022
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