3 month closure orders imposed on Wrexham Mini Market, Bridge Street Wrexham and Wrexham Corner Market, Kingsmills Road, Wrexham in September for selling illegal tobacco and vapes were extended by Wrexham Magistrates courts on 9th Dec.
This decision was taken by the courts after they were presented with evidence of continued supply of illegal products in connection with the closed premises. Both premises will remain closed for a further three months. The decisions were taken in spite of a vigorous legal defence on behalf of Wrexham Corner Market and total costs were imposed totaling £2852.00.
This action was followed up a week later when the local authority Licensing Sub Committee revoked the alcohol licence for Wrexham Corner Market following an application for a review of the licence by Trading Standards. On the same day, Trading Standards took another closure order application to the Magistrates court, this time against American Candy and Vapes, Kingsmills Road, Wrexham. The Magistrates ordered the closure of the business and this shop will now also be closed, initially for 3 months. Full costs were awarded by the court to the Council totaling £2431.56.
This latest action is the 14th closure order to be granted to the Council’s Public Protection Service. All the premises have been closed for selling illegal vapes, illegal tobacco or both.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Public Protection said, “it is really important that the Council takes step to protect our community. Illegal vapes and tobacco threaten the health of our children and bring crime into our communities. Closure orders have proved a highly effective way of disrupting illegal supply and increasing the costs to the businesses that get involved in selling illegal product. The granting of extensions to existing closure orders allows the Council to apply further pressure on this illegal trading and the Council will use every means available to tackle this problem.”
Over 5000 people in Wales die every year of a smoking related disease which kills 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 regularly cause fires in waste recycling facilities.
We would urge anyone who cares about their community and their children’s health to report any information they have relating to illegal tobacco or vapes.
Reports can be made anonymously on line at https://noifs-nobutts.co.uk/ or by phone at 029 2049 0621
