Shop ordered to close over tobacco sales to children
A SHOP has been ordered to close down after inspectors discovered it had been selling counterfeit tobacco products and vapes to children.
Zany Shop on Commercial Street in Aberdare was issued with a three-month closure order following an investigation by Rhondda Cynon Taf council.
Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court heard that large groups of children had been visiting the area to purchase vapes and tobacco products.
Magistrates were told this increased nuisance and anti-social behaviour in the area.
An investigation was carried out by the council and illegal tobacco products were seized from the town centre shop on three separate occasions and more than 500 disposable vapes were found to not be compliant with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
The business had been provided with advice by the council’s trading standards officers but continued to trade illegally, according to an RCT council spokesperson. The council claims a “disproportionate” number of resources were spent on the premises because of the activity.
The store was issued with a closure order on November 2, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Louise Davies, Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s director of public health, protection and community service, speaking after the court case, said: “Once again, the council has concluded a successful investigation against a Rhondda Cynon Taf business owner following information received.
“The law is there to protect the public, but on this occasion the business owner and shop workers showed a total disregard for the local authority, South Wales Police and the wider community. The premise was having a detrimental effect on the local community and a disproportionate number of resources was spent on this premise because of the continued illegal activity and nuisance.
“We will look to take similar action against any other premises within our county borough that trades in illegal goods and sells age-restricted products to children.”