Fake cigarette alert

Fake cigarettes look almost identical to the real thing

Trading standards officers have launched a hunt for fake cigarettes in Warwickshire.

The cigarettes look virtually identical to the genuine product, and county council staff have so far seized 10 packets of fake Benson and Hedges special filter 20s.

The packets were found at an unnamed newsagent in a north Warwickshire village after a complaint from a shopper.

The cigarettes were identified because of the batch numbers embossed on the bottom of the packets.

Genuine product

Fake packets with the batch number R417 B07 have the word 'suppliers' spelt as 'suppiers'.

But cigarettes with the batch number FFGBMHH are identical to the genuine product.

"Smokers report that the cigarettes taste nothing like the genuine product," said a Warwickshire County Council trading standards spokesman.

Officers are now searching for the source of the cigarettes, with a view to a prosecution.

Consumers and businesses who believe they have bought counterfeit cigarettes are asked to contact trading standards on 01926 414000.