City Centre Convenience store closed down by Trading Standards for selling illegal tobacco and vapes

Following recent closures in the Wrexham area Wrexham Magistrates court have granted a further closure order for a premises on Brook Street in Wrexham on the 27^th May. The magistrates heard that Brook Street Mini Market were in the possession and selling illegal tobacco and vapes over a period of time. When Trading Standards Officers, supported by North Wales Police, visited the premises on the 14^th April a concealment was found which contained a quantity of illegal tobacco and disposable vapes. These products were seized and advice given. On the 12^th May, the day before the original Court closure order date, a test purchase was made of illegal tobacco from Brook Street Mini Market showing the complete ignorance towards regulatory compliance. The original application for a closure order was adjourned for two weeks to allow the business owner to attend court, however, the shop was closed until the matter returned to court on the 27^th May.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Public Protection, said, “The sheer number of small retail convenience stores that have sprung up around the city involved with the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes is alarming. We will continue to keep up the pressure on this illegal trade because it threatens the health of children and adults and brings crime into our community. I would urge anyone who is concerned, particularly for the health of our children and who has any information about the supply of these illegal products to report it. I would also urge landlords and agents to exercise great care when offering to rent or lease retail premises to ensure their prospective tenant will be operating legally and not selling illegal product. Where there is evidence of complicity by landlords or agents the Council will investigate and prosecute.

“Over 5000 people in Wales die every year of a smoking related disease which kills more than 1 in 2 of all long term users. Easy access to cheap tobacco increases the chances of children acquiring a lifelong addiction to this highly addictive product. Illegal vapes typically contain far more than the permitted levels of nicotine and present a similar risk of lifelong addiction. Because of this we will seek to cause maximum disruption to this trade using all the tools at our disposal.

Disposable vapes have a major impact on the environment with millions discarded every year in Wales. Each discarded vape contains plastic, electronics, a battery and residual liquid. Most are not recycled and the various parts contaminate soil and water. Those that do end up in the waste system have caused fires in waste recycling facilities because of the battery that each item contains. For these reasons, from the beginning of June, it will be illegal to sell single use or disposable vapes anywhere in the UK. Retailers need to be sure they have cleared any stock of disposable vapes by the end of May.