According to a report from Yahoo News on April 26th, a store called "Easi-Vape" was ordered to close due to the discovery of over 1,500 illegal e-cigarettes hidden on the premises.
Since October 2021, the store located in Durham County has been found with illegal e-cigarettes three times, estimated to be worth over £16,000. Prior to this, the store had been issued with a closure order, and the store owner has been informed that they must comply with regulations related to e-cigarettes starting from October 2021.
Previously, city council members conducted a purchasing test at the establishment and found that the products being sold did not comply with regulations. The products had not been registered with relevant agencies, and the e-liquid content exceeded the regulatory limit of 2 milliliters. In June 2023, county council officials discovered 871 non-compliant e-cigarettes during an inspection at the store, with an estimated value of £8700, resulting in a warning for the shop owner.
In January 2024, authorities received intelligence and carried out enforcement action against the shop in March, seizing 746 non-compliant e-cigarettes worth approximately £7,500. The county council consulted with local retailers, the public, and schools on whether to seek a closure order for the store under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and received unanimous support.
Subsequently, the shop owner sent an email apology to the county council. Authorities filed an application with the court for a closure order, and the court subsequently ruled to close the store for two months, citing that the illegal products were causing distress to local residents and businesses.
Gary Carr, the regulatory leader of Durham County Council, stated: "The vast majority of shop owners in Durham County are law-abiding. The closure of this particular shop for two months is intended to serve as a warning to any other stores that may be considering selling illegal products.
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