Coventry Shop Ordered to Close for Selling Illegal Vaping Devices

A shop in Coventry has been ordered to close for three months for the ongoing sale of illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

The Tile Hill mini-market is the second shop in the city to be issued with a closure order by a judge for selling illegal cigarettes, and the first for selling illegal e-cigarettes.

This action was taken after it was found that the store continued to sell illegal tobacco products and e-cigarettes, despite previous warnings and requests for interviews with the tenant.

The city council's trading standards team applied for the order in court and was granted approval on Monday, December 18, 2023.

The sale of illegal cigarettes means that vendors do not comply with UK labeling requirements, including plain packaging, and low-cost cigarettes or tobacco that have not paid taxes and VAT.

This behavior undermines the interests of legitimate traders, who have suffered losses in trade since the shop opened. The tank capacity of e-cigarettes and the amount of nicotine liquid they contain often exceed legal limits and typically do not comply with UK labeling regulations.

These products are also sold at lower prices, undermining the deterrent effect of high prices on children, which may encourage them to start smoking at a young age.

Shops selling illegal tobacco lead to antisocial behavior and become a problem for local communities, as they often attract large groups of young people.

Abdul Salam Khan, the city council's deputy leader and cabinet member responsible for policing, stated: "This is the second time the council has issued such an order for selling illegal cigarettes, and the first for e-cigarettes. We are pleased that the court supported our application for a closure order."

"This action is not a rash decision but is taken after a long investigation and previous warnings to the shop tenant."

"The sale of illegal tobacco products and e-cigarettes is a problem in many communities and brings many consequences. We take this action to send a warning to anyone involved in this trade that we will use all available resources to protect the interests of our city residents."

The shop has been ordered to close completely for three months, and no one is allowed to enter or remain in the store.

The Illegal Tobacco Partnership is a tobacco control initiative, and a survey conducted in 2017 found that 50% of underage smokers in the northeast of England reported that illegal tobacco helped them become addicted. We have just seen the government's consultation on the age for cigarette and tobacco sales close, as well as potential new controls on e-cigarette sales.