Two vape shops in Swansea have been shut down following repeated sales of fake tobacco to undercover trading standards officers. The closures come as Swansea Council's trading standards team intensifies its efforts to tackle illegally sold vapes and tobacco.
World Vape Shop Ordered to Close for Three Months
World Vape Shop in St Teilos Street, Pontarddulais, was ordered to close for an extended period of three months after a visit earlier in June uncovered fake tobacco and vapes hidden in a concealed storage unit. The closure was authorized by Swansea Magistrates' Court after the council successfully applied for the order.
Snoop Vape Store Closed After Repeated Undercover Sales
Meanwhile, Snoop Vape Store on High Street in the city centre was also closed after repeated sales of fake tobacco to undercover trading standards officers over a two-month period. Both shops are now subject to the three-month closure orders.
Plans for Further Closures
The council has indicated that more closures are planned, based on ongoing intelligence and test purchases from stores. Rhys Harries, the council's trading standards team leader, said: “We are committed to tackling the continued illegal sale of tobacco and vapes from many of these shops, often with sales to children. We have powers to close shops after we visit but need the help of the courts to extend these temporary closures to three months, which we hope will disrupt the trade and prevent these harmful goods getting into the hands of younger children. There’s more to come. We have continued with our intelligence gathering and there will be more closures this year.”
Council's Strong Message to Businesses
Andrew Williams, the council's cabinet member for development, added: “This council is taking the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco in Swansea very seriously. Our trading standards team has made this issue a priority and has been able to gather large amounts of intelligence in terms of which shops in the city have previously been selling illegal goods to consumers, including children. The latest operation has been very successful in our efforts to disrupt this type of trade and hopefully it will send out a very strong message to other businesses in the city, that they have a duty to ensure they are trading legally and not putting consumers at risk.”
Earlier Raids in October 2025
The crackdown follows a wider operation in October 2025, when trading standards joined forces with South Wales Police to raid shops throughout the city where intelligence indicated illegal goods were being traded. Nine shops were closed during those raids, with more than £70,000 worth of illegal tobacco and vapes confiscated.
