Illegal tobacco and disposable vapes are being taken off the shelves in Wrexham and the message is clear: if you sell these products, expect action.

In recent weeks, four local shops have been shut down by Trading Standards and North Wales Police for repeatedly selling illegal tobacco and banned vapes. These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of growing efforts to clamp down on sellers who put profit before people and they show what’s possible when agencies work together to protect public health.

At ASH Wales, we’ve been working alongside enforcement teams through our No Ifs. No Butts campaign supporting local authorities, raising awareness, and helping keep illegal sellers firmly in the spotlight. This work is part of our wider mission to protect communities across Wales and push for a future free from the harm caused by smoking and unregulated nicotine products.

Premises Closed and Products Seized

The first closures took place on 15th April, when Trading Standards officers visited two neighbouring businesses in Garden Village: Chester Road Mini Market and Best Cuts Barber. Both premises were found to be selling illegal tobacco and vapes. Within 48 hours, Wrexham Magistrates Court issued full closure orders. Each shop has now been shut for three months.

On 20th March, just weeks earlier, King Mini Market on Trinity Street, opposite Wrexham’s main bus station, was also shut down following enforcement action. The business did not contest the case, and a three-month closure order was granted by the court. According to Wrexham Council, the shop had a repeated history of selling super-strength vapes and illegal cigarettes, with no defence offered at the hearing.

Then, on 13th May, another two shops were shut down in Llay: Llay Mini Market and M & B Barber, both based at Corwena Stores on Shones Lane. During a Trading Standards visit the day before the hearing, officers – supported by North Wales Police – seized more than 6,000 illegal cigarettes, 3kg of rolling tobacco (enough for roughly 3,000 roll-ups), and 50 illegal disposable vapes. The estimated street value of the seized products was £2,750. Both premises are now closed for at least three months.

A Coordinated Effort That’s Delivering Results

These results don’t happen by chance.

At ASH Wales, we’ve been working across North Wales to strengthen local reporting and encourage public action. Through our No Ifs. No Butts reporting portal, we’ve made it easier for people to raise concerns and for intelligence to reach the right teams. In early 2025, reports from North Wales surged, with some weeks seeing one new report every single day a significant increase from previous averages. This growing intelligence picture has played an important role in helping Trading Standards target high-risk premises and take effective action on the ground.

The End of Disposable Vapes

These closures come just ahead of major change. From 1st June 2025, it will be illegal to sell single-use disposable vapes anywhere in the UK.

Each discarded vape contains plastic, electronics, a lithium battery and leftover nicotine liquid. Most are not recycled. Instead, they’re ending up in our streets, parks, rivers, and beaches polluting soil and water. The batteries they contain have also caused fires at waste and recycling centres across Wales.

These products are being sold cheaply, used quickly, and thrown away without a second thought but their environmental impact is anything but disposable. Retailers should be clearing any remaining stock by the end of May. From June, continuing to sell disposable vapes will be breaking the law.

More details and guidance for the public and retailers can be found here: ash.wales/what-is-the-disposable-vape-ban

Keep Reporting: It Makes a Difference

At ASH Wales, we’re committed to keeping the pressure on, supporting partners across Wales, and doing whatever it takes to protect people from the harms of illegal tobacco and vapes. If you’ve seen a shop selling suspicious products, or something doesn’t feel right, we want to hear about it. Report anonymously at: noifs-nobutts.co.uk/report-illegal-tobacco-in-wales

Wondering what illegal tobacco and vapes look like? We’ve got full guidance on how to spot them at: noifs-nobutts.co.uk