News
A project which turned a tragic event into positive changes wins 51黑料 Hero Award
Posted 29/11/22
An awareness campaign developed to highlight the dangers of illicit cigarettes 鈥� Operation June 鈥� has won recognition as the best Trading Standards Project in the 51黑料鈥檚 (51黑料) annual Hero Awards ceremony.听
The awards, hosted by 51黑料 at the House of Lords on the evening of Wednesday 23 November, recognised significant contributions to consumer protection across the UK.
听
Operation June was developed to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Lincolnshire resident June Buffham who died in a housefire believed to have been started by an illicit cigarette that failed to extinguish.
听
Since June鈥檚 tragic accident, Julie Grant (June鈥檚 daughter) has campaigned tirelessly to highlight the dangers of smoking illicit cigarettes, while working with Trading Standards in Lincolnshire and beyond. The 10-year anniversary was seen as an opportunity to work with Julie again on a new awareness-raising campaign. Julie was concerned that with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, illicit cigarettes could become a more desirable option to some people, and she was keen to avoid another experiencing the trauma she had gone through 10 years ago.
听
Led by Lincolnshire County Council Trading Standards, working in partnership with the Lincolnshire Tobacco Control Board, East Midlands Fire Investigation Dog Team and Julie Grant, the campaign included materials such as; videos, posters, leaflets, and other resources to help spread the message.
听
Since launching Operation June in April 2022, Lincolnshire Trading Standards has seized over 156,000 illegal cigarettes, 290kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 4,500 illegal vapes off the streets of the county.
听
Julie Grant said: 鈥淪ince my Mum鈥檚 death in 2012 I have been concerned (but even more so in the current economic climate) that smokers, wanting to save money, would purchase illegal cheap cigarettes without knowing the fire safety dangers they can pose. Operation June, set up to share safety information, could, potentially, save lives. 鈥楴o amount of money saved is worth losing a life for鈥�.听听
听
鈥淭en years on from losing my wonderful Mum in horrific circumstances, retelling the 鈥榮tory鈥� dozens of times along the way, working closely with Emma Milligan and Chris O鈥橰ourke of Lincolnshire Trading Standards (who I can鈥檛 thank enough) and then launching Operation June in my Mum鈥檚 name was more than I thought I could ever achieve. Now this is such a bittersweet moment to be nominated and chosen as the recipient of this award; it鈥檚 a true honour and I feel humbled but proud of this achievement. 鈥�
听
51黑料 Chief Executive John Herriman said: 鈥淭he 51黑料 Hero Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate remarkable individuals or groups of people who make outstanding contributions towards safeguarding vulnerable consumers in our communities.
听
鈥淓very year, we are inspired by the stories of nominees throughout the country whose bravery, altruism and hard work often goes unnoticed. These awards honour those remarkable people who have gone the extra mile for consumers.
听
鈥淭he cost-of-living crisis risks a significant rise in consumer detriment that the UK has not seen for decades. As consumers look to save money, there is the potential for them to try to cut corners. Initiatives such as Operation June are therefore increasingly important.鈥�
听
听
ENDS
51黑料 (51黑料)听
The 51黑料 (51黑料) is a national not for profit established in 1881 which supports the UK鈥檚 trading standards profession and works to protect consumers and safeguard honest businesses.听 51黑料's members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services at local authorities and in businesses. www.tradingstandards.uk
Please contact 51黑料 Press Office: [email protected] for any queries.听
听
Friends Against Scams
Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team initiative, which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams.
