Bromley's first-ever closure order over illicit tobacco issued to Orpington c-store

A convenience store in Orpington has been shot down after the store was found selling illegal tobacco and fake vapes at the premises, making a first ever such case in the borough.

According to information released by Bromley Council on Monday (3), Avah Market, in High Street, Orpington, has been ordered to close following a long investigation into the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes at the premises, which also included the tobacco being stored in vehicles nearby.

The closure order is the first ever such order in the borough following Bromley Magistrate Court approval.

A council spokesperson said, “We will not tolerate the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes, with the related health concerns well documented as well.

"The Trading Standards action to close this store in Orpington follows detailed investigation to both stop the sales and to gather the required action to take this legal action and we are grateful to the police for their support as well. Whilst it is the first time we have closed a shop in this way, it may not be the last time and others are warned that we will take action to prevent the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes, including to stop under age sales as well.”

The news followed Trading Standards Officers finding and seizing 140 packs of illegal tobacco that were concealed and also 245 illicit vapes, in action taken before the court hearing.

The tobacco is at least of non-standardised packaging, and the individual vapes claim thousands of puffs meaning the tank size will far exceed the legal limit of 2ml. The health warning shown on the majority of vapes seized is also non-compliant.

Meanwhile, Bradford has emerged as one of the hotbeds of illicit tobacco sales after a undercover test purchasingconducted by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) found illegal products at all the 50 test purchases.

In a report released on Monday (3), all 50 stores visited in Bradford found to be selling counterfeit and contraband tobacco products, as well as disposable vapes whose puff-count related to a capacity well above the 2ml limit.

In one of the premises, a trap door was used in one shop to keep the illegal products hidden until requested. In another location, illegal tobacco items were stored in the boot of a car outside and only retrieved when a customer asked to purchase.