Council prosecution for illegal tobacco offences

Cheshire West and Chester Council has prosecuted Mr Rasul Sidiqui (42) of 49 Walter Street, Chester, for illegal tobacco, cigarette and vapes offences. The prosecution was the result of an unannounced inspection to Sakotis, 89 Brook Street, Chester, on 30 November 2023.

The charges were in respect of 137 illegal vapes, 4,140 illegal cigarettes and 700g illegal hand rolling tobacco.

Mr Sidiqui was sentenced at Chester Magistrates Court on Monday 14 April 2025 and ordered to pay a total of £2,284.50 (£626 in fines, £250 victim surcharge and £1,408.50 costs).

The Council and its partner Brio Leisure have a stop smoking service for anyone in the borough who needs support. The ‘Go Smokefree’ service allows residents to self-refer for support to quit smoking, giving them access to 12 weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy and unlimited behavioural support for as long as they feel they need. One-to-one support is available in one of 18 venues across the borough.

Additionally, residents can be supported via telephone, text, or via Brio’s Facebook page. For more information and support visit www.cheshirechangehub.org, email at hello@cheshirechangehub.org or call on 0300 777 0033.

All goods seized were non-compliant with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations Act 2016.