Two shops in Cornwall have been ordered to close for three months for selling illegal tobacco.
Truro Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (25) granted the closure orders for Saltash Smoke Point, Fore Street, Saltash and Zabka, Commercial Street, Camborne.
Devon and Cornwall Police submitted two closure order applications to the court after Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team supplied evidence of illegal tobacco sales at both premises.
The application was supported by intelligence from members of the public that both shops had been selling illegal vapes, and supplying vapes to under 18s.
The application also included information about the public health risks of illegal tobacco, as well as the potential harm vapes can cause when used by 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.”
Ruth Goldstein, Assistant Director of Public Health at Cornwall Council, said, “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.
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."
