Illegal vapes and tobacco seized in Tewkesbury

Officers visited the premises around two weeks ago, in response to complaints about it selling illegal vapes and tobacco, and seized 199 vapes with oversized tanks. The shop owner was given verbal and written advice.

Despite this, a recent test purchase of a vape from the shop confirmed that the owner had chosen to ignore the advice.

During the latest visit on 15 June 2023, trading standards officers discovered 20 vapes hidden behind bags of biscuits on a shelf near the counter worth around £200.

Trading standards officers also identified a concealment within a wall during a search of the premises, which contained a quantity of illegal tobacco worth about £1,000 which was seized.

The illegal tobacco consisted of 123 packets of 20 cigarettes and 43 pouches of 50g hand rolling tobacco, many of which were counterfeit copies of brands such as Richmond, Lambert and Butler and Amber Leaf.

The trading standards investigation is continuing.

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for trading standards, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco is of concern because it defeats the health aims of high prices for tobacco. It is often sold to children, it damages local traders and in the case of counterfeit cigarettes, they are unlikely to self-extinguish and are a fire hazard. Consumers may think they are buying a duty free brand but in fact they are buying a dubious counterfeit copy.”

Video showing the concealed area within a wall where illegal tobacco was kept: