Two Stoke-on-Trent shops have been ordered to close for three months after Trading Standards investigations uncovered illegal tobacco, shisha and vapes with an estimated retail value of almost £24,000.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council says closure action has been taken against UK Mini Market in Hanley and Moorland Vapes in Burslem.
UK Mini Market investigation
Seven test purchases of counterfeit cigarettes were made at UK Mini Market between July 2025 and July 2026, according to the council.
Officers subsequently seized 160 packets of illegal cigarettes, 16 pouches of illegal hand-rolling tobacco and 52 pots of illegal shisha. The council says the products were hidden in a roof cavity at the premises.
More than 1,000 vapes seized in Burslem
An inspection at Moorland Vapes in May 2026 resulted in the seizure of 71 packs of illegal cigarettes and 1,140 non-compliant vapes.
The council says warnings were issued following that action, but a later test purchase of counterfeit cigarettes was subsequently made.
The estimated retail value across the two premises was nearly £24,000, with almost £20,000 attributed to products seized at Moorland Vapes.
Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement, said the closures form part of the council's work to protect legitimate businesses and tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.
How to report illegal sales
Anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco, vapes or underage sales can contact Stoke-on-Trent Trading Standards on 01782 238884.
Information can also be submitted through the council's Trading Standards pages.
