UK Court Sentences Shrewsbury Retailer for Illegal Vape and Counterfeit Tobacco Sales

Key Points

• Enforcement: A Shrewsbury shop and its former director were sentenced for selling illegal disposable vapes and counterfeit tobacco
• Youth Protection: The offences included the sale of a nicotine disposable vape to a person under 18
• Regulation: The vapes involved were oversized and unregulated, with products deemed untraceable
• Policy Context: The UK banned disposable vapes from June 2025 due to youth appeal, health risks and environmental concerns

2Firsts, February 5, 2026

According to a statement released by Shropshire Council, a Shrewsbury convenience store and its former director have been sentenced for offences involving the illegal sale of disposable nicotine vapes and counterfeit tobacco products.

The council said Albion Mini Market, located at Castle Gates in Shrewsbury, and its former director Jalal Ahmadi were convicted over offences committed on 1 February and 17 March 2025. The violations included selling counterfeit tobacco, supplying oversized disposable vapes that did not comply with regulations, and selling a disposable nicotine vape to a customer under the age of 18.

At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on 3 February 2026, Ahmadi was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay a total of £1,100 in fines, victim surcharge and costs. Albion Mini Market Limited was ordered to pay approximately £7,000 in fines, surcharges and prosecution costs. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all seized products.

Shropshire Council said the prosecution followed investigations by its trading standards team. In sentencing remarks cited by the council, the judge said the defendant’s culpability was high, noting that he was ultimately responsible for placing unregulated and untraceable nicotine and tobacco products on the market, posing a significant potential risk to public health.

Commenting on the case, Bernie Bentick, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for health, said laws governing the sale of tobacco and nicotine vaping products are designed to protect children and young people. She added that counterfeit cigarettes are produced without quality control and may contain hazardous substances, while their low prices can increase youth access and undermine legitimate businesses.

Bentick also referenced the UK government’s ban on disposable vapes, which took effect in June 2025, citing their appeal to young people, addictive nicotine content and environmental impact.

Image Source: Shropshire