The Citizens Advice consumer service provides consumer advice and information for residents and shoppers. You can contact Citizens Advice consumer service online or call 0808 223 1133 (calls from mobile and landlines are free).
You can also visit the Advice Portsmouth.
Age restricted sales
There are many laws on selling age restricted products and services. Learn about age restricted sales laws for retailers.
Illegal tobacco
Illegal tobacco is harmful to health and our communities. Sellers often don’t care who they sell to – even children – risking addiction to a product that kills 1 in 2 lifetime smokers. It also brings crime into neighbourhoods, fuelling human trafficking, drugs and loan sharks.
If someone offers cheap tobacco in shops, pubs, clubs, private houses or on the street, it’s often fake or smuggled.
We work with trained tobacco detection dogs to find illegal tobacco in Portsmouth – often based on information from the public or local businesses. You can report illegal tobacco anonymously, or email trading.standards@portsmouthcc.gov.uk with information.
Find out more about how to spot illegal cigarettes and vapes.
E-Cigarettes and vaping
We ensure retailers follow vaping regulations around product specifications, age restrictions, and sales practices. Learn about vapes and single-use vape ban.
View the enforcement guidance on the use of Fixed Monetary Penalties, Notices and other Civil Sanctions by Portsmouth City Council when enforcing the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024.
We will publish data at the end of each financial year.
Product safety and recalls
All new and used consumer products sold in the UK must be safe. If a product is found to be unsafe, businesses are required to report it to local authorities. Find out more about the rules businesses must follow on product safety and recalls.
Keep up to date with the latest product recalls and alerts – GOV.UK. We recommend registering your home appliances to be notified about any possible recalls.
Buying goods and services
The law protects your consumer rights when you buy goods or services. Search for a trading standards approved business via Buy with confidence.
For consumer help and advice, visit consumer help from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute UK. You can also contact the Citizens Advice consumer service.
Loan sharks
Loan sharks are illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest. You can check if a lender is registered and report loan sharks anonymously – GOV.UK. Find low-cost loans and other help for people in financial hardship.
Junk mail and sales calls
You may be able to reduce unwanted telephone calls and junk mails by signing up to the Mail Preference Service and the Telephone Preference Service.
Scams
Learn about what scams are and how to report them. Find out more about help for people affected by scams and other crimes.
Doorstep crime and rogue traders
Find out more about doorstep crime and rogue traders.
Contact us
For more information, email trading.standards@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or visit our Facebook page.
We recommend reporting any suspected sales of goods to Citizens Advice through their Citizens Advice contact page, or by calling 0808 223 1133 (calls are free from landlines and mobile phones).