Multiple businesses served with closure orders following illegal tobacco sales

Three Wiltshire businesses have been served with closure notices by Wiltshire Council's Trading Standards team following recent seizures of illegal tobacco and vapes under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

New Road Mini Mart in Chippenham, Rex Vape Station Ltd in Devizes and Milksham Vape & Shop in Melksham were all served with closure notices on 9 December.

The requests came following a number of complaints, several seizures of illegal tobacco and vapes, plus test purchases of illegal products. Illegal tobacco and vapes were seized from the Chippenham, Devizes and Melksham businesses in November when Trading Standards officers visited with a tobacco detection dog and Wiltshire Police (Trading standards crackdown on illegal trading - Wiltshire Council).

A court hearing was held at Swindon Magistrates Court today (11 December), where three-month closure orders were granted for all three premises. Only those who are named habitual residents and authorised persons are now permitted to enter the addresses.  Anyone else entering the premises is committing a criminal offence and on conviction may be sentenced to 51 weeks imprisonment and/or a fine.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: Our Trading Standards team is working very hard to tackle illegal sales in Wiltshire and these closure orders are an excellent result for the team. The investigation into these businesses showed some very concerning breaches and incidents, resulting in our officers deeming it necessary to serve the closure orders.

Illegal tobacco is often sold at hugely discounted prices at around £5 to £6 per packet as opposed to around £32 for a genuine 50g packet of tobacco. A price which is more likely to enable people to continue smoking, undermining the Government's strategy to reduce the number of smokers in the UK.

This closure order and subsequent prosecution show that we are acting on our Business Plan commitment to safeguard our residents from harm and tackle businesses that aren't complying with the law.

I'd also like to thank Wiltshire Police for their assistance in this case and also our colleagues in the Public Health team who helped with the funding for the tobacco detection dogs that we use in the raids.

Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health, said, There is no safe level of smoking, and the availability of cheap illegal tobacco keeps people trapped in a lethal addiction and we're pleased to support our Trading Standards colleagues in their efforts to reduce this.

Stopping smoking is the best thing an individual can do to improve their physical and mental health - as well as save money. Quitting is easier with the right support and there are so many options and combination of tools for stopping smoking.

To find out how to access free support, contact our friendly Health Coaches on 0300 003 4566, email: health.coaches@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) or ask at your GP surgery.

New Road Mini Mart in Chippenham opened in early April 2024 and a test purchase conducted shortly after revealed the sale of counterfeit tobacco products. Following this, the business was given advice on legal requirements for selling tobacco products, vapes, and other age-restricted items.  A further test purchase was later made by an officer.

Rex Vape Station Ltd started trading in July 2024. A test purchase conducted shortly after opening confirmed the sale of illicit tobacco products. Officers visited the business to provide guidance on the legal requirements for selling tobacco, vapes, and age-restricted items. Despite this advice, further complaints were received. A second test purchase confirmed the continued sale of illicit tobacco.

Milksham Vape & Shop opened in October 2024. A Trading Standards officer purchased illicit tobacco shortly after opening. This business was operated by the same owner as Rex Vape Station Ltd.