Sweet shop shut down after selling vapes to children

A VAPE shop which marketed itself as a sweet shop has been forced to close after it was caught selling vapes and tobacco products to children.

- ELLIE GOSLEY

Vape Zone in Abercynon

Vape Zone, in Abercynon, was closed with immediate effect after being prosecuted by Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) council.

The landlord of the premises, Soram Karim Mohamad, appeared at Merthyr Tyfil Magistrates’ Court on January 21.

The council told the court that, as well as selling vapes and tobacco products to underage individuals, during a 15-month period when businesses trading in his premises were monitored, they were caught selling more than 5,000 illegal cigarettes and 350 illegal vapes.

Mohamad appeared in court to challenge the application for a closure notice, but the appeal was rejected.

As a result, Rawa Vape Limited, which trades as Vape Zone at 52 Margaret Street, has been boarded up and forced to close for three months.