A VAPE shop that is often marketed locally as a ‘sweet-shop’ has been forced to CLOSE with immediate effect thanks to the actions of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards team.
A Closure Notice has been successfully issued and enforced at Vape Zone Abercynon, which aims to send a clear message to premises in Rhondda Cynon Taf that the illegal sale vapes or tobacco will not be tolerated in this County Borough!
On 19th January 2026, a Closure Notice was served on the premises and the Landlord of Vape Zone, 52 Margaret Street, Abercynon, CF45 7RB. This action was taken due to the illegal supply of vapes and tobacco products, including sales to underage individuals. The Closure Notice was issued under Section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014.
On 21st January 2026, Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court granted a Closure Order for the premises. The landlord appeared in court to challenge the application, but the order was still granted.
Trading Standards Officers served the Closure Notice on the premise on the 21st January 2026 assisted by South Wales Police and the Council’s Corporate Estates team.
As a result, the shop has now been boarded up and is required to remain CLOSED for a total of THREE months.
The premises has been involved in the sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco products while under the control of TWO different business owners – which is something officers know is a tactic many use to avoid closure and had been subject to monitoring and enforcement action for a period of 15 months.
Over the 15-month period 1000’s of illegal cigarettes sticks (5,319), 57 hand rolled tobacco pouches and 100’s of illegal Vapes (350) were seized.
A number of the items were seized as part of Operation Cece, a nationally funded initiative between National Trading Standards (NTS) and HMRC, which has been running since 2021 and continues to do so. Whilst activity is led by RCT Trading Standards, the multi-agency approach included partnership working with Trading Standards Wales, South Wales Police and when necessary the Home Office.
Thanks to the dedication of all the Officers the business is now CLOSED, and the teams will continue to monitor this and any other business that breaks the law.
Another business that discovered this recently was Polski Sklep Pontypridd, located at 68A Taff Street, Pontypridd, CF37 4TD who were also issued with a THREE MONTH CLOSURE order on 26th November 2025, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
This follows another successful investigation by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards team for the sale of illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products. Illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products were supplied to officers carrying out test purchases from the town centre premise on nine separate occasions.
These TWO CLOSURES demonstrate that we are watching out for illegal activity right across the County Borough and we WILL take action. No matter how long it takes to gather the evidence, we are monitoring premises and we will do all that we can within our powers to prevent these businesses from operating.
The sale of Illegal vapes can be seriously harmful for the public as they tend to contain either a nicotine strength level exceeding the 2% legal limit, or they have a tank capacity exceeding the maximum 2ml limit.
They may also contain illegal, potentially harmful chemicals.
The sale and use of illicit e-cigarettes, which do not conform to the necessary product standards, place users at risk of ingesting unsafe levels of metals such as nickel, lead and chromium and other harmful substances.
The Trading Standards team in Rhondda Cynon Taf, like other County Boroughs in the UK are witnessing an increase in illegal vape supply across the high street, with vapes often reaching children and non-smokers. To date, over 1,700 vapes have been seized since the start of 2025.
Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said:
“I am pleased to see these TWO Closure Notice issued and I hope it sends a clear message about our commitment to tackle these issues head on.
“We would urge the public to be incredibly mindful over what they are inhaling. The laws around e-cigarettes are there for a reason.
“We don’t know the long-term health impacts of illegal vapes, and there is a real risk that unregulated vapes contain either a dangerous level of nicotine or chemicals you don’t know you’re inhaling.
“While we continue to work with our partners to clamp down on the illegal selling of vapes, especially to under-age children, we are aware it continues to happen and we would urge any young person who is purchasing vapes, either online or in a store, to check what is contained within them.
“All legal vapes are marked with the kite mark and have the CE sign – this shows they meet the legal requirements.
“Don’t put your health at risk by chasing the nicotine high.”
“Trading Standards remains committed to enforcing and re-enforcing when needed of closure orders in Rhondda Cynon Taf, sending a clear message against the supply of illegal products in the community. We will continue to do all that we can to protect the community from the danger that these products could cause.”
The Council has also been made aware of the emerging link between vaping and the exploitation of children.
The prominent use of vapes among young people means they are increasingly being promised by criminals and county lines groups alongside traditional methods like cash, trainers and food.
This exploitation can take many forms including sexual exploitation or underage recruitment where criminals coerce young people into distributing or selling vaping products illegally.
The Council is asking parents to please be aware of this link and to look out for the signs that your child may be being exploited.
The dedicated Trading Standards team in RCT employs various methods, including vape and tobacco detection dogs to identify concealed products. The reliance on concealments indicates the operators’ awareness of their illegal activities. Partnerships within and outside the council are crucial in addressing this growing issue.
While court actions have led to convictions, fines are often insufficient deterrents. Businesses frequently change ownership to evade consequences, and after closure orders expire, operations might resume.
If members of the public have any information about people who they believe may be engaged in illegal trading activities or anyone who they believe may be a victim of such activity, then they can report their concerns directly to Trading Standards using the Illegal Activity Online Form.
For further information, please visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/TradingStandards
Posted on 23/01/2026