SPRING 2020 ROUND-UP Gone in a puff! From 20 May 2020, it will be illegal for retailers to sell menthol cigarettes, and manufacturers will no longer be allowed to produce them. ROUND-UP The changes to the law stem from a four-year phasing-out period under the European Union Revised Tobacco Products Directive. It is part of an attempt to stop young people smoking by banning cigarettes with a characterising flavour other than tobacco. Retailers will also not be able to sell capsule, click-on, click & roll, crushball or dual menthol cigarettes, and must have sold their remaining stock by 20 May. The sale of menthol e-cigarettes or e-liquids is not affected. The Association of Convenience Stores has produced a poster for retailers to display in their stores to communicate these changes to their customers. Credit: Carrie Morris, Trading Standards officer iStock.com / Stepan Popov SHROPSHIRE COUNCILS RESILIENCE CONFERENCE 2020 6 MAY, 08.30am ONWARDS SHREWSBURY TOWN FC, MONTGOMERY WATERS MEADOW, SHREWSBURY, SY2 6ST The conference will look at the importance of resilience within the business community, with speakers who have managed incidents or supported organisations in recovering from major incidents. There will also be an exhibition of products that may help businesses become more resilient and identify risks. The cost for individual delegates is 60 including VAT. This includes access to all exhibitors and seminars, plus refreshments and lunch. To attend, exhibit or sponsor this event, contact SRC@shropshire.gov.uk AWARE OF CRIME? REPORT IT ANONYMOUSLY TO TRADING STANDARDS The level playing field that nurtures and promotes economic growth and development for businesses, locally and nationally, is maintained by Trading Standards. It partly does this by offering advice and assistance to honest and legitimate traders who request guidance on legislation, and by assisting those traders who need a little help to become compliant. Where businesses choose to trade outside the law and ignore the advice and guidance given, Trading Standards tackles them by using appropriate enforcement action. A lack of willingness and cooperation to comply with trading law and any engagement in criminal activity undermines and harms legitimate trade. This, inevitably, leads to honest businesses being disadvantaged and having to compete against traders who offer inferior goods and services. To survive, the honest business may be forced to lower its standards or its quality of product, resulting in unsatisfied consumers. Left unchecked, this leads to a loss in consumer confidence, and has resulted in certain trade sectors being mistrusted. By working with Trading Standards, legitimate businesses that believe their sector is being damaged and undermined by unscrupulous traders, can help focus and target Trading Standards resources, and reduce the harm being inflicted upon their profession. Those who believe their professions reputation is being damaged and undermined by illegitimate traders working outside the law, can report them via the anonymous, automated hotline 0300 303 2636, or by using the online reporting system. www.centsa.org.uk/ Report foul play to create a level playing field for all. Credit: Brandon Cook, Trading Standards officer For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service