As part of ongoing efforts to tackle the illegal tobacco and vape trade in Wales, two more premises in Wrexham have been closed by Trading Standards following the discovery of illicit products. This latest enforcement action took place in Llay, where Llay Mini Market and M & B Barber, both operating from Corwena Stores on Shones Lane, were found to be selling illegal tobacco and vapes.
Thousands of Products Seized
Acting on intelligence and community concerns, Trading Standards officers, supported by North Wales Police, visited the premises on May 12 to serve court papers. During the visit, they seized:
- 6,000 cigarettes
- 3kg of rolling tobacco (enough for 3,000 hand-rolled cigarettes)
- 50 illegal vapes
These products had an estimated street value of £2,750. Both businesses were immediately secured and will now remain closed for three months, following closure orders granted by Wrexham Magistrates Court on May 13th.
A third premises in the Wrexham area is also under investigation, with the court hearing adjourned for two weeks. That shop will stay closed until the matter returns to court at the end of the month.
A Message from Wrexham Council
Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Public Protection, commented on the seriousness of the issue:
“The sheer number of vape shops that have sprung up around the city is alarming. The second discovery of illegal product on the premises of a barber’s shop is similarly concerning.
We will continue to keep up the pressure on this illegal trade because it threatens the health of children and adults and brings crime into our community.”
He also urged landlords to carry out proper checks on prospective tenants to avoid inadvertently facilitating illegal activity.
Why This Matters
Illegal tobacco and vape products are a serious threat to health. Counterfeit tobacco is often sold at pocket money prices, making it more accessible to children and increasing the risk of lifelong addiction. Similarly, many illegal vapes contain nicotine levels far above legal limits—posing long-term risks for young people who become addicted before they understand the consequences.
In Wales, over 5,000 people die each year from smoking-related diseases. Councillor Jones added:
“Easy access to cheap tobacco increases the chances of children acquiring a lifelong addiction to this highly addictive product. Because of this, we will seek to cause maximum disruption to this trade using all the tools at our disposal.”
Ban on Disposable Vapes Starts 1 June
The environmental impact of disposable vapes is another pressing concern. Each discarded vape contains plastic, electronics, batteries, and residual nicotine. They are rarely recycled properly and are increasingly responsible for fires in waste centres.
As part of a UK-wide move to combat this issue, from 1st June 2025, it will be illegal to sell disposable vapes anywhere in the UK. Retailers must ensure they have cleared all stock by 31st May.
How to Report Illegal Activity
If you are concerned about the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes in your community, you can report it anonymously here.
Together, we can protect our communities, reduce crime and prevent another generation from becoming addicted to dangerous and illegal nicotine products.
