Nearly 1,000 illegal vapes and 1,500 illicit cigarettes have been seized from a shop in Ramsey.

Officers from Cambridgeshire County Council's Trading Standards, Cambridgeshire Police and HMRC attended the shop on March 20 after members of the public informed them about the shop.

A criminal investigation has now begun. 

The seizure was part of an ongoing multi-agency enforcement across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to tackle the supply of illegal tobacco and nicotine products.

8,801 illegal vapes, over 26,000 illicit cigarettes and 38 packs of hand rolling tobacco were seized by the Trading Standards in 2023.

It comes as the Government has announced proposals to ban disposable vapes and ensure vapes conform to plainer packaging requirements, tighter restrictions on display and strict limits on flavouring to make them less child appealing.

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Councillor Tom Sanderson, chair of the Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council said:

“I’m proud of the Ramsey community who sought to protect the town by reporting concerns about potential illegal activity."

Anyone wishing to share intelligence or suspicions about criminal activity like this can report it online, anonymously.

Alternatively, Trading Standard’s advice partner, the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, can be contacted on 0808 223 1133 Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.