Local authorities across England have stepped up enforcement action against the sale of illicit tobacco and non-compliant vaping products, with multiple shop closures, prosecutions and large-scale seizures secured in recent weeks.
In Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards supported Staffordshire Police and Lichfield District Council Environmental Health officers in securing court action against two premises following intelligence-led inspections.
On 17 December, officers raided Sankeys Vape on Bridge Cross Road and American Candy on Water Street as part of a multi-agency operation targeting illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes.
At Cannock Magistrates’ Court, Sankeys Vape was issued with a Closure Order for the maximum legal period of three months with immediate effect. American Candy was made subject to an interim Closure Order, with the case due to return to court on 2 January 2026.
Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety and resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said the closures sent a “clear message” that crime would not be tolerated on local high streets, warning that illicit tobacco and vape sales undermine legitimate retailers, pose serious health risks and fuel organised criminal networks.
Luton prosecutions and closure orders
In Luton, Luton Council Trading Standards officers have continued to bring cases to court as part of their crackdown on illicit tobacco and vapes.
Following a two-day trial, Mohammad Kamaran Mohammad, 24, was found guilty on nine charges linked to Mini Luton Grocery and Luton Groceries, relating to the sale of counterfeit and non-duty-paid cigarettes between March 2023 and February 2024. He received a 12-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £3,500 in costs plus a £114 victim surcharge. Both premises have since been issued with closure orders.
Elsewhere in the town, Faisal Fazal Abdullah, 40, trading as Moldova on Manchester Street, pleaded guilty to four counts of selling counterfeit and illicit cigarettes. Sentencing is scheduled for February 2026 following a probation report.
Luton Magistrates’ Court also granted a three-month extension to an existing closure order at Magazin Doina Romanesc on Wellington Street, citing concerns that continued occupation by the same tenant would lead to repeat offending.
A separate three-month closure order was issued against Euro Magazin on the same street after persistent illicit tobacco sales continued despite earlier prosecutions, including a test purchase involving a vape sold to a 16-year-old.
Councillor Maria Lovell, portfolio holder for Trading Standards, said the council remained determined to tackle illegal and dangerous products that threaten public health and undermine lawful businesses.
Major seizure uncovered in Grimsby
In North East Lincolnshire, officers from Humberside Police and North East Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards seized 93,120 illegal cigarettes, 313 pouches of illicit tobacco and 348 vapes following a search of an empty shop on Freeman Street, Grimsby.
The operation, carried out under Operation CeCe — a national initiative targeting illicit tobacco — followed intelligence suggesting the premises were being used as a storage location.
The legitimate retail value of the tobacco products was estimated at £80,814, with a street value of just over £25,000. The seized vapes were valued at approximately £3,500. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
Trading Standards officers reiterated that vapes must comply with strict legal requirements, including limits on tank size and nicotine strength, and, since 1 June 2025, must be refillable, rechargeable and have replaceable coils. Products must also display required health warnings and be registered with the MHRA.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said enforcement activity would continue, while Councillor Stan Shreeve warned that illicit products pose serious health risks and urged smokers to seek support to quit.
Humberside Police neighbourhood policing inspector Pete Musgrave added that illicit tobacco and vape sales are often linked to organised crime, including modern slavery and human trafficking, stressing that such offences are “not victimless crimes”.