04/07/2025 - Multiple operations lead to seizure of illegal cigarettes and vapes

• Euro Magazine Ltd (Wellington Street)

Euro Magazine Ltd on Wellington Street, Luton, and its director, Masoud Ali Ahmed, 53, of Browning Road, Luton, were fined nearly £8,000 for selling counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes as well as foreign-labelled medicines, including a controlled drug, despite prior warnings.

• Single-Use Vape Seizures

Following the national ban on single-use vapes on 1 June 2025, Luton Trading Standards have seized 926 single-use vapes from five premises. Traders are reminded that all single-use vapes should be removed from display and disposed of responsibly, or face prosecution. 

Councillor Maria Lovell, portfolio holder for Trading Standards, said: “We’re determined to keep our town a safe place for everyone, and these successful operations demonstrate how hard our Trading Standards team work to investigate and, where possible, take action against retailers who are caught flouting the law and selling illicit tobacco and vaping products that could severely harm the health of our residents.”

Anyone with information on premises and individuals selling and storing illicit cigarettes, tobacco, shisha and vape pens in Luton either from a shop, online or from a domestic premises or vehicle can report it in confidence.

All vape retailers must have a waste take back bin or similar arrangement in store for customers to return old vapes (including single use vapes), and a waste contract in place for the proper disposal of these.

If your local vape retailer does not have a vape take back bin, this can be reported to the council’s Investigations Hub team on 01582 510330 or [email protected].