A SHOP has been forced to close after it was repeatedly found to be selling illegal smoking products.

Euro Mini Market, in Victoria Road, Ferndown, has shut after being investigated by Dorset Council’s Trading Standards team, with support from Dorset Police.

A Closure Notice was granted at Poole Magistrates’ Court on November 19, after a multi-agency operation to tackle the persistent sale of illicit and non-compliant cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco, vapes, and nicotine pouches.

In the last year, the store has been subject to several visits from trading standards – with illegal vapes, tobacco and cigarettes being seized.

But despite the action, the illegal activities continued.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council Cabinet member for health and housing, said: “I would like to thank our trading standards team and our partners for their thorough investigation and helping to keep our residents safe.

“There are strict rules regarding the sale of vapes and tobacco products to protect customers.

“We will not tolerate persistent offending or breaking of those rules. This serves as a warning to all business owners – if you fail to get your house in order after repeated warnings, we will take legal action.”

The business must now close for three months after the court heard evidence of the illegal activity and seizures that had taken place, including how, despite previous warnings, a large seizure was made on the night the notice was issued.

HMRC estimates that the illicit smoking-product market was worth around £2.8 billion in one year alone (2021 to 2022).

Sergeant Jane Moore, from the East Dorset Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners in Trading Standards to target business premises which continue to trade in the illicit sale of illegal vape and tobacco products.

“We have a duty of care to our communities – particularly young people who end up using these products – and we will endeavour to protect them from the dangers of these illegal items.

“Our recent action in supporting Trading Standards demonstrates our officers’ commitment to multi-agency working as we continue to relentlessly pursue those who offer these unlawful items for sale in Ferndown.”