Crime, Weymouth | Posted on December 17th, 2024 | return to news
Weymouth shop shut down over illegal tobacco sales
Dorset Council have forced Amsterdam Market in Weymouth to close due to the sale of illicit vapes and cigarettes.
A shop in Weymouth that was selling illegal tobacco products including vapes and cigarettes was forced to close on Monday 16 December after Dorset Council’s Trading Standards team, with support from Dorset Police, served a closure notice to the business.
Despite several visits by the Council and police officers over the past 12 months and multiple seizures of illegal vapes, tobacco, and cigarettes, the business owners of Amsterdam Market, in The Esplanade, continued their illegal activities.
Following an investigation, the decision was taken to close the shop down. The notice will be followed by a Closure Order hearing in court on Wednesday 18 December to ensure the business is shut down with immediate effect.
This action is the latest effort by Dorset Council and the police to tackle the sale of illicit and non-compliant cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco, vapes, and nicotine pouches.
Vapes and e-cigarettes are strictly regulated, with restrictions on how much nicotine they can contain, and what other chemicals can be used. The products must also use child-resistant packaging, and clearly display health and safety warnings. However, many of the devices seized by Trading Standards teams flout these rules, and there are concerns that some may be designed specifically to appeal to children and young people.
Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Health and Housing, said: “There are strict rules in place regarding the sale of vapes and tobacco products to protect customers. But the shift away from traditional smoking towards vaping has seen some unscrupulous producers and businesses capitalise on this trend by avoiding safety regulations, as well as rules around the import and sale of nicotine-based products, to boost profits.
“The message here is clear: we will not tolerate businesses that break these laws. I want to thank our Trading Standards team and our colleagues at Dorset Police for their hard work in getting this result, which I know will be welcomed by the people of Weymouth.”
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Sam Goom, of Weymouth and Portland police, said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners in Trading Standards to target business premises which continue to trade in the illicit sale of illegal vape and tobacco products.
“We have a duty of care to our communities – particularly young people who end up using these products – and we will endeavour to protect them from the dangers of these illegal items.
“Our recent action in supporting Trading Standards in the closure of the Amsterdam Market on Weymouth Esplanade demonstrates our officers’ commitment to multi-agency working as we continue to relentlessly pursue those who offer these unlawful items for sale in Weymouth.”
Please share post:
LATEST NEWS:
CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Subscribe to the online magazine news letter
