Illicit Vapes

Please can you supply the following information:
1) The number of businesses found selling illicit vapes for the period of 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022 and January 2023 and 31 August 2023.
2) The key search terms I am seeking in relation to the type of business are; convenience store, corner shop, grocery store, supermarket, newsagent, symbol group, tobacconist, off licence and independent retailer.
3) Could you also provide the name the offending businesses traded under and their address.
4) The punishment for the business and whether they complied – warning, fine, compliance notice, escalation to the police, etc.

In response to the above questions, please see the table below:

Jan 23 – Aug 23

Specifically, in response to question 3, it is not appropriate to publish the names of businesses that we have dealt with as this remains a confidential issue, apart from the two which are already in the public domain for having had closure orders issued by the court.   This information is therefore exempt pursuant to section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The two businesses who have had closure orders issues by the court are:

Quickstop – 57 High Street, Taunton, TA1 3PT – Closure order granted Dec 2022

European Shop – 11 North Street, Taunton, TA1 1LH – Closure Order granted Jul 2023