Stoke-on-Trent Shops Shut Down Over Illegal Tobacco Sales

Amira Hughes Author 2026-06-09 10:23 3 min read

Macro shot of a cigarette showing loose tobacco inside the white paper tube.

Two Stoke-on-Trent businesses have been forced to close their doors again after being caught repeatedly selling illegal tobacco products. The enforcement action, led by the city council’s Trading Standards team, follows a series of failed warnings and previous closure orders that failed to deter the illicit trade.

Named Premises and Enforcement History

The two premises, Longton Drinks Limited Vape Shop and Victoria Eastern European Food, had both previously been subject to three-month closure orders issued by the city council. Despite these initial measures, follow-up investigations revealed that both shops resumed the storage and supply of illicit tobacco products shortly after their respective reopening dates.

Longton Drinks Limited Vape Shop first came under scrutiny following a public complaint in January 2026. A subsequent inspection led to an initial seizure of illegal products, yet the business continued to trade illicitly. Officials confirmed that five separate test purchases of counterfeit tobacco were completed at the site despite repeated warnings from enforcement officers. Similarly, Victoria Eastern European Food, which reopened in February 2026, was found to be operating as a front for illegal sales. A test purchase conducted in April 2026 resulted in a further seizure of counterfeit cigarettes, leading the council to seek renewed and more stringent closure orders to stop the activity.

Enforcement Action and Public Safety

The latest closure orders were officially granted by the courts on Thursday, 21 May 2026. The operation was a coordinated effort involving the Stoke-on-Trent City Council, HMRC, and National Trading Standards. These agencies work in tandem to monitor high-risk premises, ensuring that local businesses comply with national safety and excise regulations.

Stoke-on-Trent Shops Shut Down Over Illegal Tobacco Sales

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement, stated that the council remains firm in its commitment to removing illicit goods from the community. “I welcome the closures of these two persistent offenders, who have continued to sell illegal tobacco,” Wazir said. “We will not tolerate the sale of these products in Stoke-on-Trent. Removing these products off our streets keeps young people safe, supports honest local traders and forms part of the city council’s wider work to make our town centres family-friendly and safe to live in.”

Reporting Concerns and Next Steps

The council has confirmed that investigations into other suspected premises across the region remain ongoing to ensure compliance with legal standards. The sale of counterfeit tobacco poses significant public health risks, as these products often bypass quality control checks and may contain unregulated substances.

Residents who have concerns regarding the sale of illegal tobacco, vapes, or potential underage sales are encouraged to report them to the Trading Standards hotline at 01782 238884 or via the official council portal at www.stoke.gov.uk/tradingstandards. The council emphasizes that the message to local retailers is clear: businesses that choose to operate outside the law will face serious consequences, including the potential for permanent closure.

Source: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

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Source check Verified Local News

This report is based on official enforcement data released by Stoke-on-Trent City Council regarding local business compliance.

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