Trading Standards team takes action against illegal vapes in Stockport

Stockport Council’s Trading Standards team has secured a prosecution after the discovery of nearly 1,000 illegal disposable vapes at a shop in Hazel Grove.

In total, 980 non-compliant disposable vapes were confiscated by Trading Standards officers from a shop, trading as Pound Hut, on two separate occasions on 5th April and 5th July 2023. The shop has since closed down.

As a result of the seizures, shop manager and director of the company running the store, Syed Shah pleaded guilty to four offences under The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. Offences included supplying vapes containing more than the legal limit of 2 millilitres of nicotine-containing liquid and supplying vapes without the required health warnings and information on the packaging. He received a sentence of 32 weeks custody, suspended for 12 months. In addition, the court imposed a £180 victim surcharge.

Mr Shah has been prosecuted previously by Stockport Council for selling a vape to a minor.

Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Public Protection at Stockport Council, said:

“This prosecution demonstrates our zero-tolerance approach to the sale of illegal and unsafe vaping products. These items are often aimed at younger consumers and pose serious health risks. This prosecution sends out a clear message: if you flout the law, we will investigate and take firm action.”

On 1 June 2025 it became illegal for any business to sell or supply single-use or ‘disposable’ vapes. You can report ongoing sales of disposable vapes to Trading Standards by contacting the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.