🔍 Busting the Vape Trap in Abercynon! 🚫


What seemed like a sweet shop in Abercynon turned out to be a cover for something much spicier. ‘Vape Zone,’ ironically known for its pick ‘n’ mix sweets, had been selling vapes and tobacco products to kids. The shop has been shut down by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council after a string of legal headaches.

The shop’s landlord, Soram Karim Mohamad, faced the court on January 21st, but his attempt to dodge a closure notice failed. It turns out the shop was not only caught selling to underage buyers but was also trading a huge stash of illegal goods: over 5,000 dodgy cigarettes and 350 unlawful vapes were seized in just 15 months! 🚭
Despite Mohamad’s appeal, the court ruled in favour of the council, leading to the shop being boarded up for a solid three months. This storefront masqueraded under two different business banners, a tactic some use to avoid getting permanently shut.
Illegal sales like these aren’t just bad for business—they’re bad for health! Many of these vapes exceed legal nicotine limits or have tank capacities beyond what’s allowed. Plus, they may contain banned chemicals. Councillor Bob Harris praised the closure as a win for community safety and urged the public to be careful about what they’re inhaling. 🌬️
Bob emphasised that laws exist for a reason, and the long-term effects of illegal vapes remain a mystery. He reminded everyone to check for the kite mark and CE sign when buying vapes. Let’s keep health risks at bay! 💨
Stay alert and let’s keep our communities safe from the dangers of illegal vapes. 🤝
#Abercynon #VapeZone #StaySafe #CommunityAlert #RhonddaCynonTafCouncil