A NEW task force has been set up to tackle the problem of counterfeit and illegally smuggled cigarettes on the streets of Notts.
The county council has invested £91,000 of its public health funding into the initiative, which will pay for investigations to cut down on the supply and use of illegal tobacco products.
The team has already carried out its first raids in nine shops across Sutton-in-Ashfield, Hucknall, Mansfield, Stapleford and Netherfield, and two houses in Gedling.
They uncovered around 90,000 counterfeit cigarettes and 20kg of illegal tobacco with an estimated street value of £40,000.
Councillor Glynn Gilfoyle, chairman of the county council's community safety committee said that while the major progress had been made nationally in combating illegal tobacco products, there was still more work to be done.
He said: "Tackling the sale of illegal tobacco has been priority for the council and we have set up a dedicated team to focus our efforts on this persistent problem.
"Children and young people are often targeted by sellers of counterfeit cigarettes and illegal tobacco has strong links with organised crime, so we will come down hard on those caught selling these goods."
Anyone with information about people selling counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes in their area can call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06. People can also ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.