Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Illegal tobacco, vapes worth £50k seized from Longton store

Illegal tobacco, vapes worth £50k seized from Longton store
iStock image
Getty Images

Illegal tobacco and vapes valued at £50,000 have been seized from a shop.

Counterfeit cigarettes and oversized vapes had been hidden at a retailer in Longton, said Stoke-on-Trent City Council.


They were discovered after trading standards officers got two fifteen-year-olds to try and buy a vape. Despite being underage, the shop sold the vape to them, which was also 15 times the legal maximum tank size, added the authority.

Products seized from the retailer included 11 different brands of counterfeit cigarettes, and seven types of disposable vape which were oversized and had incorrect health warnings on the packaging.

The council was "deeply concerned" about the prevalence of illegal tobacco and vape sales within the community, particularly sales to underage shoppers, said Councilor Amjid Wazir.

Earlier this month, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Trading Standards team carried out an intelligence-led, under-age sales test purchasing exercise recently across the city visiting nine premises with young volunteers attempting to purchase vapes.

Whilst the city council is pleased to report that six businesses complied with the law and acted responsibly to prevent underage sales, it is worrying that three traders failed the test, and that illegal vapes and shisha were also being stocked and supplied at two of the premises.

The majority of the disposable products seized contained oversized tanks, where products were advertised with as much as ‘9,000 puffs’ on its packaging. The UK Government has restricted e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2ml where on average would provide around 600 puffs.

Councillor Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said, “The efforts of our Trading Standards officers and volunteers were instrumental in achieving these substantial results. However, it is disappointing to see that three traders failed to comply by the laws and regulations in selling illegal products.

“The city council is committed to continuing its work to create a safe and healthy environment for all its residents. We urge everyone in the city to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the sale or distribution of counterfeit and illegal goods”.

More for you

A selection of brightly packaged disposable vapes is displayed in a convenience store, as the upcoming ban takes effect on June 1.

Disposable vape ban is coming into force on June 1.

Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Retailers reminded to prepare for disposable vape ban

Retailers have four months left to sell through any remaining stock and prepare for the disposable vape ban coming into force on June 1 this year, an industry body reminded retailers today (5).

After the ban comes into place, all vaping products that are available for sale legally in the UK must be both refillable and rechargeable, meaning that they must be intended for multiple uses.

Keep ReadingShow less
Impact of high street closures on rural communities

Dursley high street looking towards Stinchcombe Hill, Gloucestershire. The Countryside Alliance has issued a briefing note to the MPs on the impact of high street closures on rural communities.

Photo: iStock

Campaigners highlight impact of high street closures on rural communities

As MPs discuss the closure of high street services in rural areas in a Westminster Hall debate today (5 February), the Countryside Alliance has issued a statement emphasising the profound challenges these closures pose to rural communities.

The organisation noted that the shutdown of essential services is both a consequence and a catalyst of the “rural premium” - the additional costs incurred by individuals simply due to residing in rural locales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alcohol free beer sales

Alcohol-free beer sales

REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

December overtakes Dry January in alcohol-free beer sales

Sales of low and no-alcohol beer were 20 per cent higher in December than January, shows recent data, suggesting that traditionally the month of abstinence has been overtaken by December in terms of alcohol consumption.

According to a recent report in The Times, supermarket Tesco experienced record demand for alcohol-free beverages in the four weeks running up to Christmas with sales up by more than 15 per cent on the previous year. The demand was largely driven by young Brits.

Keep ReadingShow less
Unitas Wholesale senior supplier briefing highlights growth in retail and on-trade sales

Unitas Wholesale growth in retail and on trade

Unitas outperforms market through supplier partnerships

Buying group Unitas has announced year on year growth in both retail and on-trade in its recently organised supplier event.

The announcement came during the Unitas Wholesale Senior Supplier Briefing, where the group revealed impressive growth figures despite a challenging year for the wholesale sector.

Keep ReadingShow less
Convenience store in Gargunnock near Stirling

Convenience store in Gargunnock near Stirling

Village c-store reopens after three-year hiatus caused by fire

A village store in Gargunnock, near Stirling, has reopened its doors after a three-year hiatus caused by a devastating fire.

Thanks to the remarkable efforts of the local community, a new community focused operator in Ashok Pothugunta and the support of Nisa, the much-needed store is back in business, providing a vital lifeline to the area’s residents.

Keep ReadingShow less