Saltash vape shop shut after selling to under 18s

A Saltash vape and tobacco shop that was ordered to close for selling illegal products has seen its appeal against the closure refused – but it can open tomorrow (Wednesday, June 25) anyway.

Saltash Smoke Point, on Fore Street, was made subject to a closure order at Truro Magistrates’ Court back in March. Devon and Cornwall Police submitted two closure order applications to the court after Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team supplied evidence of illegal tobacco sales at both premises.

The application was supported by intelligence from members of the public that both shops had been selling illegal vapes and supplying vapes to under 18s. It was ordered to close for three months.

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Yesterday (Monday, June 23) the owner appealed at Truro Crown Court for an appeal hearing against this order which was refused. Despite the refusal the order is up tomorrow (June 25) anyway so the store will soon be reopened.

Elizabeth Kirk, team manager at Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards, said at the time of the closure, which included the closure of another site in Cornwall: “I’m delighted that we have been able to disrupt the illegal activity taking place at these premises.

“This is a brilliant example of how we work with our partners to target businesses that are not complying with the law and I’d like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police for all their work in securing these orders from the court.

“We will not tolerate people putting our communities at harm and will take action when there is evidence that shops or individuals are supplying illegal products.”