IN a city first, a Coventry store has been ordered to close for three months after it was caught continually selling illegal cigarettes and vapes.
Tile Hill Mini Market is the first in the city to be hit with an order by magistrates for selling illegal vapes and the second for selling illegal cigarettes.
This means no one is allowed to access or remain on the premises for the next three months.
The action was taken after the store was found to be persistently selling illegal tobacco products and vapes, despite an earlier warning to the tenant and requests for interviews.
Selling illegal cigarettes meant traders did not comply with UK labelling requirements including plain packaging and the low cost indicates duty and VAT payments had not been made.
This has hit legitimate traders whose sales have suffered since the store opened.
Vapes have tank capacities and contain nicotine-bearing fluids often many times bigger than permitted by legislation and often do not comply with UK labelling regulations, as well as undermining the disincentive to children of high prices.
The council’s deputy leader, Coun Abdul Salam Khan, who is also the Cabinet Member Responsible for Policing, said: “This is the second time the Council has issued such an order for the sale of illegal cigarettes and is a first for vapes, we are delighted the Court supported our request for a Closure Order’.
“This action has not been taken lightly and follows a lengthy investigation and a previous warning to the store tenant.
“The sale of illegal tobacco products and vapes is a problem in many communities and has many consequences, and in taking this action we are sending a warning to anyone involved in the trade that we will use all resources available to us to protect the residents of our city.”
