Luton Borough Council

21/11/2023 - Seizure of illegal vapes from Luton shop

Following an investigation by Luton Trading Standards, Vape Broski Limited of Dunstable Road in Luton and its Director have been prosecuted for possessing and selling illegal vapes.

Simanto Bashar, age 25 of Claremont Road, Luton, appeared at Luton Magistrates on 14 November 2023. He pleaded guilty to two sales of non-compliant vape pens and being in possession of 624 non-compliant vape pens, plus a further 41 on another occasion when officers from Trading Standards visited his premises in Dunstable Road, Luton in February 2023. The non-compliant vape pens were seized and taken from the premises.

Mr Bashar and the Company were fined £480 each with £192 victim surcharge and prosecution costs of £1,296, totalling £1,968 for Mr Bashar as Director and £1968 for the Company. The total financial penalty amounts to £3,936.

Luton Trading Standards have launched a campaign to investigate and prosecute those who sell illegal vape pens and tobacco in Luton, seizing over 13,500 so far. Illegal vaping devices are more dangerous than their regulated counterparts as they contain chemicals that are banned in this country and are harmful to health. All disposable vape pens that exceed 600 puffs, containing 2ml of liquid and 2% nicotine content, are illegal. Vaping devices are regulated by the government to control the amount of nicotine available and have to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Councillor Maria Lovell, portfolio holder for Women, Equalities and Community Safety said, ‘’The sale of illicit tobacco, vape pens and shisha is often linked to wider organised criminal activity, so we have good reason to be vigilant. It is also putting people’s health at risk, which is particularly concerning as illicit vape pens and tobacco are often being sold to school children under 18, which is also illegal.

"Luton Trading Standards are continuing to clamp down on the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco. Their interventions have resulted in Luton landlords terminating the lease at six premises, three for non-duty paid and counterfeit cigarettes, and they are in the process of undertaking two more. Other businesses are on final warnings before their leases are terminated".

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