Trading Standards officers from the Wrexham Council’s Public Protection Service, supported by North Wales Police, have seized significant quantities of tobacco and vapes following a visit to a retailer in the city centre.
Illegal vapes and illegal tobacco were found on open sale stacked on shelves and on the counter.
The haul included over 600 disposable vapes, nearly 4kg of rolling tobacco (enough for 4,000 roll ups) and nearly 700 packs of cigarettes. This action follows on from a large seizure at a different shop, The Vape Shop on High Street in September. That shop has now been closed by order of the court.
Councillor Terry Evans, Lead Member with responsibility for trading standards, said: “It’s disturbing to hear that yet again these products have been available to buy in the city centre.
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“The vapes seized are illegal and typically contain more than the permitted maximum strength of nicotine, are oversize and have not been registered with the appropriate authority.
“Consequently there are serious concerns about the safety of these items and the health of people that use them.
“The low price of illegal tobacco makes it much more affordable and consequently much easier for children to obtain and acquire a lifelong lethal habit.
“Most shops selling illegal vapes and tobacco are unconcerned about selling to children even though it is an offence to sell to under 18s. We need to do all we can to protect our community – especially young people – and I would encourage anyone with information about illegal vapes or tobacco to report it.”
Vaping has increased in popularity over the past 10 years and is widely recognised as effective way to quit smoking tobacco.
However, more recently there has been an explosion of interest in disposable vapes with people who have never smoked trying them out.
It is illegal to sell vape products to under 18s, but in spite of this vapes have proved to be popular with young people and many of the products available are child-appealing with sweet flavours and brightly coloured packaging.
Some illegal products have even used the names of well known sweets to promote them.
Illegal tobacco is cigarettes and rolling tobacco that has no duty paid and is consequently very much cheaper that legitimate tobacco.
The low price and readiness to sell to under 18s creates significant risk to children and makes it harder for adult smokers to quit.
Smoking is still the single biggest cause of premature death in Wales and the UK, killing over 5,000 people in Wales every year.
You can report illegal vapes or illegal tobacco anonymously via the No Ifs No Butts website.
Or call 029 2049 0621 or e-mail to info@noifs-nobutts.co.uk
