A Coventry store has been ordered to close its doors for three months after a Council investigation revealed the persistent sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products.
The Village Express (formerly Alena Mini Market), located on Wheelwright Lane, is the fifth store in the city to be issued with a closure order by the Magistrates Court, for breaking the current laws on selling illegal tobacco and vapes.
The Council’s Trading Standards and Legal teams applied to the Court for the order, which was granted on 17 July.
The witness statement provided by Public Health supported the application by Trading Standards for the closure. It added weight to the application as it demonstrated the harm that these illegal sales cause to communities in Coventry.
The Court heard the details of how the illicit tobacco and vapes were found within the premises, and how warnings to stop sales had been ignored.
Stores that sell illegal tobacco, contribute to anti-social behaviour and create problems for the local community. The sale of illegal cigarettes means traders avoid tax or VAT and undermine legitimate traders.
Illegal tobacco products do not comply with UK labelling requirements. They are sold at a lower price which weakens public health policy by offering a cheaper option for those who might otherwise see price as a reason to stop smoking. The lower prices can also encourage children to start smoking or vaping.
Alongside this, these illegal products can have a serious detriment to the health of consumers. Counterfeit tobacco can contain high levels of tar and nicotine and illicit vapes can contain excessive amounts of nicotine. Both can contain unknown and harmful substances.
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of the Council, and Cabinet Member Responsible for Policing, said: “This is part of an ongoing effort, working with all our partners, to disrupt this illegal trade which harms local communities and affects honest businesses that do operate within the law.”
Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member Responsible for Public Health said: “This is about protecting the health and wellbeing of local people. Ensuring these items are confiscated is vital.”
Dr Allison Duggal, Director of Public Health said: “Illegal tobacco and illegal vapes steal the health of our communities and harm our economy. Many of these products contain ingredients that are unregulated and sometimes banned. Our guidance continues to be that if you smoke then vaping is safer, but do buy from a reputable store. If you don’t smoke, don’t vape.”
Lord Michael Bichard the Chair of National Trading Standards has spoken about illegal tobacco stating: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 19 million illegal cigarettes and 5,103 kg of hand rolling tobacco in 2023-24, Operation CeCe (a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC) has taken £27.2 million pounds worth of illicit tobacco off the market since the operation launched in 2021 and continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”
The store has been ordered to close completely for three months and no-one is allowed to access or remain on the premises.
Costs over £3400 were also awarded to the Council against the Landlord and the previous operator of the premises.
The order is in place until 16th October 2024 23:59pm.