Judge grants closure order following repeated offences
A VAPE shop in Port Talbot has been closed down after being caught repeatedly selling illegal tobacco and oversized vapes, including to underage customers.
Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards Team successfully obtained a closure order against Vape Land on Commercial Road, Taibach. The order was granted by a District Judge at Swansea Magistrates’ Court under Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The court heard that Vape Land had been the subject of numerous enforcement actions since June 2024. A Senior Investigations Officer for Trading Standards told the judge that during a test purchase operation on June 12, 2024, officers bought a pouch of Amber Leaf rolling tobacco which was later confirmed by trademark holders to be counterfeit.
In August 2024, South Wales Police and council enforcement officers carried out an inspection at the premises, seizing illegal vapes, leaf tobacco and cigarettes. Additional complaints led to another operation in April 2025, when more non-compliant single-use vapes and illicit tobacco were seized.
All disposable vapes recovered were found to exceed the legally permitted fluid volume, and some were being sold in colourful, youth-appealing packaging. The court was also told that the shop had sold products to under-18s.
The individual leasing the premises since April 2024 could not be traced for interview.
The sale of disposable vapes was banned across the UK on June 1, 2025. The ban applies to all retailers, online and in-store, and is designed to reduce environmental harm and protect children from nicotine addiction and related mental health consequences.
The Senior Investigations Officer said: “The business operating from this premises showed blatant disregard for the harm caused to children accessing these vapes.”
Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said: “I commend our Trading Standards Officers for achieving this closure order. I would urge anyone who cares about their community and children’s health to report any information they have about illegal tobacco or vape sales.”
