A shop in Ferndale that was disguised as a sweet shop has been shut down after being found to be selling illegal tobacco products and is also suspected of selling vapes to children. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said the business, Vape Zone on High Street, had carried out "persistent and deliberate criminal behaviour".
Undercover operation reveals illegal sales
Despite repeated advice, warnings, training, compliance visits and enforcement action, the business continued to trade illegally, demonstrating a "sustained pattern of offending and a complete disregard for the law, enforcement authorities and the local community", the council said. Trading standards officers believe the owner heavily obscured the shop's windows to limit visibility and reduce the risk that illegal sales would be witnessed.
The shop was closed by enforcement officers after a closure order was granted at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 201. During the operation on 28 July 2026, officers seized illegal tobacco products with an estimated street value of over £4,600, including 189 packets of cigarettes and 40 pouches of rolling tobacco.
Complaints and repeated warnings
The council received nine complaints relating to the premises, including four reports alleging underage sales. Despite repeated warnings, advice, training materials, compliance visits and enforcement action, illegal activity continued. A total of 10 positive test purchases were carried out, with illegal cigarettes supplied on every occasion. The products failed to comply with the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.
Officers visited the shop and found it was marketing itself as a sweet shop, with soft drinks, sweets, crisps, some ambient food products and vapes on display, but no cigarettes or tobacco products in sight. The windows were heavily obscured, and products were often hidden in concealments within the premises and only produced when requested.
Council's response
Rhian Hope, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's director of public protection, said: "This investigation uncovered persistent and deliberate criminal behaviour involving the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products to members of the public, alongside allegations of sales to underage persons. What is particularly concerning is that these products were routinely concealed to avoid detection by our officers, demonstrating a clear awareness that the activity being undertaken was unlawful."
She added: "Consumers purchasing illegal tobacco and vape products have no way of knowing exactly what they are buying. These products are not subject to the same safety regulations as legitimate goods and may contain unknown substances that pose serious risks to health. The reports of underage sales are especially worrying. Cheap illegal products can make smoking and vaping more accessible to children and young people, exposing them to significant health risks."
Hope thanked Trading Standards officers, South Wales Police and partner agencies for their work, stating: "We will continue to take robust action against businesses involved in the illegal sale of tobacco and vaping products and will not hesitate to use all available powers to protect our communities."
