a day ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport: Shops closed after vapes and tobacco seized
Operation Frost, led by Newport City Council's trading standards team, resulted in the seizure of more than 10,000 illegal vapes, 250,000 cigarettes and nearly 75kg of hand-rolling tobacco in the last six months.
A total of 27 closure orders have been granted by Newport magistrates, forcing shops to shut for a minimum of three months.
Councillor Mark Spencer, cabinet member for trading standards at Newport City Council, said: "Our officers are doing sterling work by disrupting the sale by criminals of these illegal, and potentially dangerous products and by providing assistance to retailers following the introduction of the law banning disposable vapes."
In May and June, GG Vape #2, 7b Westgate Buildings, 17 Church Street, City Vape at 58 Commercial Street, and Yum Yum at 60 Commercial Street were all closed by the courts.
Mood Vape at 424 Chepstow Road and Chepstow Mini Market at 145 Chepstow Road were closed for the second time this year having previously been subject to closure orders in February.
All the premises were found to be selling illegal tobacco or vapes.
Newport has also acted as a collection point for illegal vapes seized by other trading standards teams in South Wales, with more than 16,000 disposed of in May.
Since June 1, single-use vapes have been banned across the UK due to environmental concerns.
Trading standards officers have visited more than 80 retailers in Newport to offer guidance on the new regulations.
