Illegal vape shops targeted in Swansea

Kubas Superstore and Swansea Market Vape Store, both located on St Helen's Road in the city centre, were visited by Swansea Council Trading Standards in the lead up to the closure.

Test purchases carried out prior to the visits uncovered continued sales of counterfeit tobacco and illegal vape products.

The latest closures by Magistrates, mean the shops will remain closed for three months and are prevented from trading during this period.

Both shops have previously been closed by Trading Standards, however, under existing legislation, a three-month closure order is the maximum penalty magistrates can issue.

Two men connected to the Swansea Market store were also recently jailed for a total of five years

Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Development - Control, said: "The latest closures are part of our ongoing campaign against illegal vape sales in the city.

"We've closed a total of 14 vape shops since June this year, following investigations by our Trading Standards. Some we have closed more than once.

"Current legislation means that we can only close these shops for a period of three months at a time.

"I want to reassure the public that we will continue revisiting these premises when they reopen and take action to close them down again if they are caught selling illegal vapes.

"Our aim is to disrupt this illegal trade that is impacting our high streets."