Shops Shut Down in Cornwall After Selling Illegal Tobacco and Vapes to Children

Two shops ordered to close following Trading Standards and Police investigation

Two shops in Cornwall have been forced to close for three months after being caught selling illegal tobacco and vapes—some of which were reportedly sold to under 18s.

Closure orders were granted by Truro Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 25th March for Saltash Smoke Point on Fore Street, Saltash, and Zabka on Commercial Street, Camborne.

The court granted the orders following applications from Devon and Cornwall Police, backed by evidence gathered by Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team.

Illegal vapes and underage sales

The investigation was prompted by intelligence from members of the public, who reported that both shops were not only selling illegal tobacco and vapes, but also supplying vapes to children.

Elizabeth Kirk, team manager at Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards, said:

“I’m delighted that we have been able to disrupt the illegal activity taking place at these premises.
This is a brilliant example of how we work with our partners to target businesses that are not complying with the law and I’d like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police for all their work in securing these orders from the court.
We will not tolerate people putting our communities at harm and will take action when there is evidence that shops or individuals are supplying illegal products.”

Health concerns raised

Ruth Goldstein, Assistant Director of Public Health at Cornwall Council, highlighted the wider public health risks:

“Smoking is responsible for almost 1,000 deaths in Cornwall each year and the sale of cheaper illegal tobacco can cause serious harm to public health because it reduces smokers’ motivation to quit.
Healthy Cornwall provides free advice to anyone who wants to stop smoking. Call 01872 324 200 or search smoke free Cornwall online for more information and support.”

Working together to protect communities

The closure orders were the result of close collaboration between Trading Standards and the police, supported by public reports.

Sophie Curtis, Partnership Inspector for Cornwall at Devon and Cornwall Police, said:

“I’m pleased at the outcome of these closure orders which send a message that the illegal sale of tobacco products or of illegal, unregulated vape paraphernalia won’t be tolerated in Cornwall.
The same goes for the sale of vape products, regardless of their provenance, to children. All of these things bring harm to our communities.
This is one example of effective partnership working. Sara Young, the Vulnerability Lawyer for Devon and Cornwall Police in Cornwall worked closely with Cornwall Council to put together the closure orders based on the work undertaken by Cornwall Trading Standards and the intelligence submitted by members of the public.
For instance, numerous calls were received from members of the public concerned that they were witnessing persons under the age of 18 being served vapes at both premises. If this sort of thing is concerning you in your community, please report it to Trading Standards so that action, like this, can be taken.”

How to report concerns

Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco, illegal vapes, or vapes being sold to under 18s is urged to report it to Trading Standards.