British Retail Store Shut Down for Selling Illegal and Counterfeit Products

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mar.05.2024
British Retail Store Shut Down for Selling Illegal and Counterfeit Products
Illegal and counterfeit cigarette sales lead to closure of a retailer in Basingstoke, UK, prompting crackdown on illegal activities.

According to recent reports from the media, a retail store in Bingley, England has been shut down for selling illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and e-cigarette products.

 

It is understood that this store was found to be engaged in illegal activities after consecutive investigations by the local tax department and police station. Selling counterfeit and illegal products as a store will severely impact public health and violate laws and regulations.

 

The seized items included 84 oversized e-cigarettes that did not meet safety standards, 174 e-liquid cartridges exceeding the legal limit of 2 milliliters, and 16 e-cigarettes that violated registered trademarks. Despite being warned about criminal activity in the store, trade standards officials returned to the shop in February 2024 and discovered 31 more e-cigarettes hidden in a modified concealed compartment under the store counter.

 

In addition, the relevant authorities have made arrangements to address the issues at the store, while also warning other businesses to conduct serious reviews of their product sources and legality to avoid similar problems.

 

This incident serves as a warning to all businesses that any illegal sales activities will be severely punished by the law. It also reflects that relevant authorities will take stricter measures in cracking down on and preventing counterfeit activities.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

PMTA Roundtable Opens with Industry Questioning Product Characterization Standards, FDA Defends Regulatory Boundaries
PMTA Roundtable Opens with Industry Questioning Product Characterization Standards, FDA Defends Regulatory Boundaries
At the opening of FDA’s PMTA roundtable, small ENDS manufacturers warned that unclear product characterization standards are limiting their ability to invest and raise capital. FDA officials acknowledged industry concerns but said regulatory flexibility is constrained by statutory and procedural boundaries.
Feb.11
Germany Sees 18.2% Jump in Taxed Tobacco Substitutes in 2025, Including E-liquids
Germany Sees 18.2% Jump in Taxed Tobacco Substitutes in 2025, Including E-liquids
Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said 66.4 billion cigarettes were taxed in 2025, up 0.2% from 2024, while long-term volumes have more than halved since 1991 and per-capita consumption fell to 795 cigarettes. Taxed tobacco substitutes such as e-cigarette liquids reached 1.5 million liters, up 18.2% year on year.
Jan.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Qnovia’s Heat-Free Inhalable Nicotine Replacement Therapy Posts Positive First-in-Human Data, Advances FDA and MHRA Filings as Funding Expands
Qnovia’s Heat-Free Inhalable Nicotine Replacement Therapy Posts Positive First-in-Human Data, Advances FDA and MHRA Filings as Funding Expands
U.S.-based medical startup Qnovia Inc. reported positive results from its first-in-human clinical trial of RespiRx, an inhalable nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) device designed to support smoking cessation.
Innovation
Feb.24
Louisiana lawmaker pushes bill to ban vape product sales within 300 feet of schools
Louisiana lawmaker pushes bill to ban vape product sales within 300 feet of schools
A Louisiana lawmaker has introduced HB 302, which would prohibit businesses from selling vapor products within 300 feet of schools. The bill would measure the distance by a person walking on the sidewalk from the nearest point on school property to the nearest point of the business. It would also give the commissioner authority to modify how the distance is calculated, while maintaining the 300-foot limit.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK reminds vaping firms to apply for new excise duty registration from April 2026
UK reminds vaping firms to apply for new excise duty registration from April 2026
HMRC has issued a reminder urging vaping manufacturers, importers and warehouse operators to prepare for registration under the UK’s new Vaping Products Duty, with applications opening in April 2026 and the duty taking effect in October.
Feb.10
China’s E-Cigarette Exports Fall Slightly to USD 10.6 Billion in 2025, U.S. Market Further Consolidates Lead
China’s E-Cigarette Exports Fall Slightly to USD 10.6 Billion in 2025, U.S. Market Further Consolidates Lead
China’s e-cigarette exports totaled approximately USD 10.60 billion in 2025, down 3.3% year-on-year from USD 10.96 billion in 2024, according to annual trade data released by the General Administration of Customs of China. Despite the mild decline, exports remained firmly above the USD 10 billion mark, with a clear rebound in the fourth quarter.
Jan.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai