No ifs, no butts – Council demonstrates its zero-tolerance on sales of illegal tobacco, cigarettes and vapes
Buckinghamshire Council has once again demonstrated its zero-tolerance to those attempting to sell counterfeit and illegal vapes and cigarette and tobacco products in the county, following recent successful court action against three local businesses.
In November, Smokey World, in Castle Street, High Wycombe, was issued with a closure order by Wycombe Magistrates to run for three months and later the same month Red Power in Aylesbury was also served with a closure order for a period of three months. Most recently, Stoke Convenience Store in Stoke Road, Aylesbury, was served with a one-month closure order at a hearing at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 3 December.
All three premises had been subject to investigations by officers from Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, having been caught selling a variety of illicit products including illegal vapes, counterfeit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco in test purchasing exercises carried out by undercover officers.
A number of operations involving tobacco detection dogs were also carried out at the locations. These specialist canines are trained to sniff out cigarettes and tobacco that is hidden from sight. At Smokey World the dogs were able to locate counterfeit good concealed behind sophisticated false wall panels. Stoke Convenience Store was also caught selling both regular vapes and alcohol to underage shoppers.
The closure orders were sought under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and mean neither of the premises is allowed to open for trade during the three month/one month period respectively. If the orders are breached, those involved are liable for arrest and could receive up to 51 weeks in prison, or a fine, or both.
Mark Winn, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Homelessness and Regulatory Services said: “These are brilliant result for the council and for the residents of Buckinghamshire. Counterfeit goods like these are a menace to our society and undermine the interests of law-abiding retailers who do not compete on a level playing field. They have no regard for the impact their illegal activity has on legitimate local businesses trying to make an honest living. Equally, selling alcohol and even legal vapes to those who are underage is against the law and we will crack down on those who seek to ignore the law in this respect.”
Mark added: “Let this be a warning, such criminality will not be tolerated in Buckinghamshire. Our Trading Standards officers proactively assess compliance and will use all appropriate sanctions available to them to stop unscrupulous retailers from flouting the law.”
Anyone with information relating to illegal tobacco or the sale of tobacco to young people under the age of 18 should report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or email: [email protected]
