Dorset Council and Dorset Police close illegal business in Weymouth

Dorset Council’s Trading Standards team, with support from Dorset Police, served a closure notice on Amsterdam Market (Esplanade, Weymouth) today (Monday 16 December) requiring the premises to be shut down.

The action follows recent multi-agency partnership working between Dorset Council and the police to tackle the persistent sale of illicit and non-compliant cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco, vapes, and nicotine pouches.

Numerous joint visits from Dorset Council and police officers had taken place at Amsterdam Market over the past 12 months, and have also included support from Immigration Enforcement officers, the HMRC, and Trading Standards South West.

Despite multiple instances of illegal vapes, tobacco, and cigarettes being seized, the business-owners continued their illegal activities. So, following an investigation, the decision was taken to close the shop down.

The notice will be followed by a Closure Order hearing in court on Wednesday 18 December to ensure the business is shut down with immediate effect.

Vapes and e-cigarettes are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which places restrictions on how much nicotine they can contain, and what other chemicals can be used. They also stipulate that child-resistant packaging is used, and health and safety warnings are clearly displayed.

However, many of the devices seized by Trading Standards teams flout these rules, and there are concerns that some may be designed specifically to appeal to children and young people.

 
HMRC estimates that the illicit market in tobacco duty and related VAT was £2.8 billion in 2021 to 2022. The proceeds of this crime are suspected to fund the smuggling of weapons, drugs, and even human beings across the globe.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, said: “There are strict rules in place regarding the sale of vapes and tobacco products to protect customers. But the shift away from traditional smoking towards vaping has seen some unscrupulous producers and businesses capitalise on this trend by avoiding safety regulations, as well as rules around the import and sale of nicotine-based products, to boost profits.

“The message here is clear: We will not tolerate businesses that break these laws. I want to thank our Trading Standards team and our colleagues at Dorset Police for their hard work in getting this result, which I know will be welcomed by the people of Weymouth.”

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Sam Goom, of Weymouth and Portland police, said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners in Trading Standards to target business premises which continue to trade in the illicit sale of illegal vape and tobacco products.

“We have a duty of care to our communities – particularly young people who end up using these products – and we will endeavour to protect them from the dangers of these illegal items.

“Our recent action in supporting Trading Standards in the closure of the Amsterdam Market on Weymouth Esplanade demonstrates our officers’ commitment to multi-agency working as we continue to relentlessly pursue those who offer these unlawful items for sale in Weymouth.”