Crackdown on Illegal Vapes in North-West England Leads to Store Closures

In the past year, police and councils in north-west England have taken significant action against illegal vape shops, resulting in the closure of more than 30 establishments associated with the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco products.

As part of Operation Elswick, a collaborative effort in Greater Manchester, authorities seized thousands of illegal items, including £162,000 worth of vapes. Bury Council and Liverpool City Council have also secured closure orders against shops involved in illicit sales, with Bury obtaining its first order after seizing over 3,000 vaping products.

Cheshire Police reported 12 closure orders against shops selling illegal vapes across various towns. The government has announced plans to enhance local councils' powers to regulate vape shops, including requiring planning permission for new establishments selling e-cigarettes.