Salisbury vape shop becomes fourth Wiltshire business served with closure order

A Salisbury vape shop has become the fourth Wiltshire business to be served with a closure notice this week by Wiltshire Council’s Trading Standards team.

Smoke World in Salisbury was served with the closure notice on 11 December, following recent seizures of illegal tobacco and vapes under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Smoke World started trading in July 2023.  Reports were received earlier this year alleging that cheap cigarettes were being sold and that they were selling disposable vapes to children.  Guidance was subsequently provided to the shop, however shortly after receiving this, an officer purchased a pack of illicit cigarettes.

The council had received a number of complaints about the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes. Smoke World was raided by officers, assisted by Wiltshire Police, on 10 December, where more than 340 tobacco products were seized, including illegal cigarettes, plus pouches and tins of hand rolling tobacco.

A court hearing was held at Salisbury Magistrates Court today (13 December) where a three-month closure order was granted for the premises. Only those who are named habitual residents and authorised persons are now permitted to enter the addresses. Anyone else entering the premises is committing a criminal offence and on conviction may be sentenced to 51 weeks imprisonment and/or a fine.

The closure notice in Salisbury follows three further closure notices being obtained by the council’s Trading Standards team for businesses in Chippenham, Devizes and Melksham earlier this week (Multiple businesses served with closure orders following illegal tobacco sales - Wiltshire Council).

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This closure order follows three other orders being successfully applied by our Trading Standards team, earlier this week. We are working hard to act on our Business Plan commitment to tackle businesses that aren’t complying with the law and ensure that Wiltshire is a safe place to live.

“Unfortunately, businesses are sometimes tempted to sell non-compliant vapes and illegal tobacco products with little regard for the impact on their customers’ health. Illegal tobacco is not regulated or manufactured to the same standards as normal tobacco and is often found to contain higher levels of harmful substances, as well as chemicals which are not normally permitted. We hope our actions this week serve to deter other businesses from taking part in similar activities.

“I’d like to thank Wiltshire Police for their collaboration this week in getting these positive results, we will continue to work with our partners to keep the public safe. Also thanks to our colleagues in the Public Health team who helped with the funding for the tobacco detection dogs that we use in the raids”

Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health, said, “There is no safe level of smoking, and the availability of cheap illegal tobacco keeps people trapped in a lethal addiction and we’re pleased to support our Trading Standards colleagues in their efforts to reduce this.

“Stopping smoking is the best thing an individual can do to improve their physical and mental health – as well as save money. Quitting is easier with the right support and there are so many options and combination of tools for stopping smoking.

“To find out how to access free support, contact our friendly Health Coaches on 0300 003 4566, email: health.coaches@wiltshire.gov.uk or ask at your GP surgery.”