Man prosecuted for selling fake tobacco
A Llwynypia man who sold counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes via social media has been prosecuted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards Team.
Leon Moon’s illegal operation was stubbed out by officers, after they received complaints he was selling rolling tobacco and cigarettes that did not comply with labelling requirements via Facebook.
A warrant was executed at his home in Partridge Road on November 12 last year and seven pouches of tobacco were seized. During an interview with Trading Standards officers, Leon Moon admitted he had been selling cigarettes and tobacco.
He was charged with two offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale) (Safety) Regulations 2002.
These regulations are in place to ensure consumers have all the information they need about the contents of a tobacco product and also that only genuine items are sold under the brand name.
Leon Moon, 31, admitted two offences when he appeared before Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court on June 6 and was ordered to pay £557.60 (including costs) and the items seized were ordered to be destroyed.
Paul Mee, Director of Public Health and Protection at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “Social media is becoming increasingly-popular as a platform to sell and exchange goods.
“It is important that people who are buying items from such sellers are protected in the same way as consumers who use high street and online shops.
“The tobacco and cigarettes being sold did not have the labelling which is required by law to inform consumers of the contents of the product, both in terms of ingredients but also nicotine and tar levels.
“The tobacco and cigarettes were also fake, but were being offered as a genuine product, which is also an offence.
“Traders may think social media is an easy way to sell counterfeit or poor quality goods, but the laws and regulations in place to protect consumers still apply.”
