Small Grocery Store in Stoke Port Faces Opposition from Trading Standards

According to local British media outlet Stokesentinel, a small grocery store in Stoke Port, United Kingdom, has faced opposition from the Trading Standards Agency due to the sale of illegal e-cigarettes and counterfeit cigarettes, causing their business license application to be rejected.

After applicant Dhihana Nasumudeen submitted her business license application, the Trade Standards Bureau conducted two visits. In response to the Bureau's opposition, she stated that she has implemented various alternative measures and has "halted all activities deemed illegal by the Trade Standards team.

In response, the Trade Standards Bureau pointed out that on October 12, 2023, a packet of counterfeit branded cigarettes was sold to a representative of the tobacco industry at a price of £5. Additionally, a 'R&M Tornado' strawberry grape-flavored e-cigarette was sold for £12, with its user manual stating that the e-liquid capacity of the device is 14 milliliters, exceeding the UK's legal limit of 2 milliliters.

According to the report, the applicant acquired this business in August last year and subsequently made changes to its purpose, including the sale of food, beverages, and tobacco products.

He hopes to provide alcoholic beverages for takeaway between 9 am and 11 pm, seven days a week. In his communication with the city council, he stated that modifications have been made to comply with the trade standards bureau's inspections, including removing all visible tobacco products and conspicuously displaying the legal age notice for purchasing such products in the store.