Shop closed over illegal vapes and tobacco

Vape Shop in Stoke-on-Trent has been issued with a three-month closure order

A shop that sold illegal vapes and tobacco has been issued with a three-month closure order, a council has confirmed.

Trading Standards issued the order to Vape Shop on Trentham Road, Stoke-on-Trent, after an investigation of the premises that started in early 2024.

Four seizures and six test purchases of vapes or tobacco have been carried out at the shop since that time, Stoke-on-Trent City Council said, during which an illegal vape was sold to a child.

Councillor Amjid Wazir welcomed the closure of the "persistent offender" and said the authority would not tolerate the sale of illegal products.

"Our Trading Standards team works hard to remove illegal tobacco and vapes off the streets to keep everybody safe, including our children," he added.

"It also makes sure legal businesses are not being undermined."

He said the work was part of the council's commitment to "creating a cleaner, greener and safer city for all", and anyone who chooses to sell illegal products would "face serious consequences".

The closure order was issued last week as part of Operation Cece – a national initiative headed by the HMRC and Trading Standards to tackle illegal tobacco.