Closure of Station Express in Teesside due to Illicit Vaping

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai

Mar.01.2024

Closure of Station Express in Teesside due to Illicit Vaping

Teesside court orders closure of Station Express for three months due to concerns over sale of illegal tobacco products.

According to local media in the UK, on February 28, Teesside County Court issued a three-month closure order for Station Express.

In addition to concerns raised about the sale of e-cigarettes to children, the court also heard reports from the Department of Trade Standards and the Cleveland Police about a search conducted at the shop last November, which resulted in the seizure of various illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco products.

Further testing conducted by the Trade Standards Department of the City Council has confirmed that stores are selling illegal tobacco products that do not meet labeling requirements. The items seized include 84 oversized vapes that do not comply with regulations, 174 e-liquids exceeding the legal limit of 2 milliliters, and 16 e-cigarettes that infringe on registered trademarks.

Despite being warned, the shop owner was caught with another 31 modified e-cigarettes stashed in hidden compartments under the store counter when officials from the Department of Trade Standards returned to the store in February 2024. They also conducted a test purchase, during which an illegal e-cigarette was sold to a child.

Norma Stephenson, Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, stated that counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco, and e-cigarettes pose significant health risks to individuals as it is difficult to know their ingredients. Of particular concern is the sale of these products to children.

Sir Michael Bichard, Chairman of the National Trading Standards, emphasized that the successful ongoing collaboration between the National Trading Standards Alliance and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has effectively disrupted this illegal trade.

References:

[1] Shop shut down for selling counterfeit cigarettes and illicit oversized vapes

Also Read:

[1] Kenya Crackdown on Illegal Nicotine and Unauthorized Drugs

[2] Philippine Government Plans to Establish E-Cigarette Certification Program

[3] Illegal and Counterfeit Tobacco Products Seized in Peterborough Raid

#Europe #E-liquids #United Kingdom #UK #Regulation

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

China Announces Crackdown on Illegal Nicotine Pouch Manufacturing Involving Counterfeit VELO, ZYN, and PABLO Products

The case is valued at approximately 400,000 yuan, and two suspects have been taken into custody.Video footage released by authorities shows that the counterfeit products involved well-known market brands such as VELO, ZYN, and PABLO.

Dec.01

South Korea Implements Public Tobacco Harmfulness Management Program, Including 22 Harmful Components in E-Cigarettes

South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety convened the first 2025 Tobacco Harmfulness Management Policy Committee, finalizing new lists of harmful substances for cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and liquid e-cigarettes to be publicly disclosed from next year.

Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Morocco Aligns Cigarette Pricing Structure with New 2026 Tax Adjustment

Morocco will raise retail cigarette prices by 1–2 dirhams (≈ US$ 0.10–0.20) per pack starting January 1, 2026, as part of the final phase of its tobacco tax reform. The adjustment mainly affects value-category cigarette brands; premiums remain largely unchanged.

Dec.01

Alan Zhao: What Altria’s on! PLUS Authorization Really Signals About FDA PMTA Enforcement

In this in-depth commentary for 2Firsts, Alan Zhao examines what Altria’s on! PLUS authorization really signals about FDA PMTA enforcement. Beyond the headline approval, FDA’s language, process design and product choices offer rare insight into how nicotine pouch regulation is taking shape—and what it means for industry compliance, in one of the earliest expert reads of the decision.