THE Cowdenbeath Community Police team spent Monday morning visiting local retail premises with Fife Trading Standards, reinforcing important legislative requirements in the sale of tobacco products.

The illegal tobacco trade is linked to criminals and brings crime into local areas. People supplying it locally are often involved in drugs or loan sharking.

Local retails were urged to look out for: Branded, non-standardised packaging; Unfamiliar brand names; Foreign health warnings and no picture warnings; Flaws in packaging; Tobacco being offered by unexpected sales people – most likely linked to criminals; and Cheaper prices – usually around half the price of legal tobacco.