Leamington convenience store shut down over illegal vape sales and child exploitation

Leamington convenience store Mars Mini Market has been shut down after concerns regarding the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco, antisocial behaviour, and child exploitation.

The shop, located on Clemens Street, was closed down by Warwick District Council’s Community Safety Team following community reports of illegal activity.

The Community Safety Team, partnered with Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Trading Standards, sought an order to shut down the premises from Coventry Magistrates’ Court, which was granted on 30 May.

The [Community Safety] Team expressed their gratitude to the community ‘for providing vital intelligence’ on the store, allowing for its closure

In a statement, the Team expressed their gratitude to the community “for providing vital intelligence” on the store, allowing for its closure.

They also added that they “strongly encourage” others to follow this example and report law breaches, so they can “respond swiftly” and with “firm action”.

The closure of Mars Mini Market came shortly before a nationwide ban on disposable vapes came into effect. While seemingly not associated with the ban, the store’s closure underlines the ongoing crackdown on the vaping market.

The UK-wide ban on disposable vapes came into effect on Sunday, 1 June. The ban aims to tackle the impact of the waste associated with disposable vapes on the environment. It also aims to make vaping less appealing and accessible to children.

Under the new rules, any business found to be non-compliant with the ban risks fines, stop notices, and, if sales continue, a prison sentence of up to two years

A survey conducted by Action on Smoking and Health found that, in 2023, 20.5% of children had tried vaping.

Under the new rules, any business found to be non-compliant with the ban risks fines, stop notices, and, if sales continue, a prison sentence of up to two years.

Further regulations on vaping are currently in the Committee Stage of discussion in the House of Lords.

The proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill would “control the advertising and promotion of tobacco, vapes, and other products,” again with an aim to reduce the appeal of vaping for children.

The legislation would also prohibit the sale of tobacco to people born on or after 1 January 2009, in a bid to eventually outlaw cigarette sales altogether.