On Tuesday 15th April Trading Standards Officers from Wrexham Council’s Public Protection seized suspect product from two premises in Wrexham in an ongoing campaign to disrupt the local market for illegal tobacco and vapes. Illegal product was seized from the two premises and investigations continue.
Just 2 days later Wrexham magistrates court granted two applications for closure orders for neighbouring retail premises in Garden Village. Chester Road Mini Market and Best Cuts Barber were both ordered to close immediately for three months after evidence was presented to the court regarding the possession and supply of illegal tobacco and vapes.
Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Public Protection, said, “The sheer number of vape shops that have sprung up around the city is alarming and the discovery of illegal product on the premises of a barbers is similarly concerning. We will continue to keep up the pressure on this illegal trade because it threatens the health of children and adult 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 anonymously on line at https://noifs-nobutts.co.uk/ or by phone at 029 2049 0621.
“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 contain far more than the permitted levels of nicotine and present a similar risk of lifelong addiction. Disposable vapes present 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 batteries cause fires in waste recycling facilities. Because of this we will seek to cause maximum disruption to this trade using all the tools at our disposal.
*Anyone can report information anonymously on line at https://noifs-nobutts.co.uk/ or by phone at 029 2049 0621
