Premises closed for third time over illicit vape sales

A shop has been closed for the third time in less than three years after it was found to be selling illicit vapes and cigarettes.

The premises, situated on 242 County Road, has been passed between three owners since the end of 2023, with each issued a closure order by the courts following investigations by Liverpool City Council.

Originally trading as Local Extra Mini Market, the premises was first forced to close for six weeks on 30 November 2023.

An investigation and seizure by the Council found illicit vapes and cigarettes being stored in professionally installed wall and ceiling concealments.

As well as issuing a closure order, the courts awarded costs of £600 to the Council.

The shop then changed hands but continued to trade under the same name.

However, a further investigation found illicit products were still being sold, and the premises was ordered to close for three months on 17 May 2024, with the new owners asked to pay £2,200 in costs.

Now, less than two years later, the premises has been forced to close for a third time.

Despite new owners and a name change to American Candy, the shop was again found to be illegally selling vapes and cigarettes to members of the public.

On Thursday 5 February, the new owners were ordered to close the premises for a further three months and pay £1988 to the Council.

This is the first time a single premises has been closed on three separate occasions following investigations by Public Protection Enforcement officers.

Unregulated vapes, cigarettes and tobacco could contain banned ingredients and may pose a serious health risk to anyone using them.

Rules around the sale of vapes are set out in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

The requirements restrict e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2ml, around 600 puffs, while the maximum volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid for sale in one refill container is restricted to 10ml.

Additionally, e-liquids are restricted to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml.

Anyone who believes a shop is selling illicit goods can report it on our website, or through Crimestoppers. People can also report a shop they believe is selling age-restricted items to anyone underage on the Council website, or via Trading Standards.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture said: “Vapes can play a genuine role in helping people quit smoking, but only when they meet strict safety standards.

“What we’ve seen at this premises is the deliberate sale of unregulated, potentially dangerous products that put residents at risk. “Closing this shop for a third time shows that we will not hesitate to act against businesses that ignore the law and undermine public health.”