Ministers are facing renewed pressure to tighten regulations on vape shop openings after new polling revealed strong public support for greater local authority control. A Savanta survey of over 2,100 adults found that 60% want councils to have more power to limit the number of vape shops in their area, with only 11% opposed.
Concerns Over High Street Decline
The poll comes amid fears that town centres are being "hollowed out" by an influx of vape shops. Analysis by the Centre for Social Justice found that over the past decade, seven pubs were lost for every new vape shop opened. The Government is being urged to require businesses to prove an unmet need before obtaining a licence to sell tobacco and vapes.
Lib Dems Call for Stronger Powers
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson said: "High streets are at the heart of our communities, but too often they are being hollowed out and taken over by vape shops - some of which are backed by decidedly dodgy business practices." He called for trading standards officers to be given extra powers to shut down illicit vendors.
The Lib Dems want the new licensing regime to allow councils to reject applications if they believe there are already too many such businesses, requiring applicants to demonstrate demand that is not being met.
Links to Organised Crime
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has identified vape shops as one of the main "cash-intensive" businesses used by organised criminals to launder money. In November last year, the NCA stated: "High street businesses such as mini-marts, barbershops, vape shops, nail bars, and car washes are used to make the proceeds of crime appear like the legitimate profits of a trade or service."
John Herriman, chief executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: "Local Authority Trading Standards have shared significant enforcement challenges with regards to shutting down dodgy shops. We are calling on the Government to urgently provide Trading Standards and others with the resources and powers we need to more effectively address the proliferation of dodgy shops on our high streets."
The Government has yet to respond to the calls for tougher action, but the polling suggests strong public backing for reform.
