Solihull shop caught selling 2,700 illegal vapes temporarily shut down

A Solihull shop caught selling more than 2,700 illegal vapes has been shut down. Boss Mart 2 in Olton was closed by authorities after selling a huge haul of illicit tobacco and vapes.

Staff at the store in Warwick Road were also caught selling a vape and tobacco to a child. The shop must now remain closed until January.

Several operations were carried out by Solihull Council’s regulatory services team after it received a complaint about Boss Mart 2 earlier this year. A total of 1,085 illegal disposable vapes, 120 packets of illegal tobacco and 13 packs of illegal hand rolling tobacco were seized on January 18.

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There was a second inspection on April 16, with the council finding 1,624 illegal disposable vapes, 125 packets of illegal tobacco and 13 packs of hand rolling tobacco. A total of 32 packets of Naswar - a type of oral tobacco which is illegal in the UK - were also uncovered.

Test operations were later carried out, with staff selling a vape to a child on July 30 and an illegal tobacco product on October 2. Solihull Council was granted a closure order by Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, November 25.

The business and its owner were been handed a court bill of £2,250. Coun Wazma Qais, Solihull Council’s cabinet member for communities, said : "Selling vapes to children poses a serious health risk to our children and young people and illegal cigarettes and vapes sold at low prices can also make the products attractive to children and encourage smoking and vaping at an early age.

"Not only that but many of the seized vapes contain much more nicotine. Illegal tobacco products usually contain high levels of tar and nicotine, as well as other unknown and unregulated substances.

"It is therefore right and proper that businesses that ignore the law and sell these dangerous and illegal products face the consequences. I would like to thank the council’s regulatory services team for their continued work to ensure businesses operating in Solihull comply with their legal obligations, and for following up this complaint successfully.

"The resident’s complaint, which came to us via the police, and the team’s actions have ensured that these harmful products will not be sold. If you have any trading standards concerns, please report them to Citizens Advice."

The closure order means the store must remain shut until January 9, 2025.