A Scarborough shop director has received penalties totalling £3,303 at York Magistrates’ Court after admitting offences related to the sale of illegal cigarettes and non-compliant vapes.
The prosecution followed an investigation by North Yorkshire Council trading standards officers into Eastern European Mini Market Ltd and its director, Ersilia Loredana Oltean, both based on Ramshill Road in Scarborough.
Court proceedings revealed that cigarettes sold at the premises lacked required health warnings and standardised packaging. During inspections, officers also seized 142 vaping products exceeding the legal two-millilitre limit for nicotine liquid.
The seized vapes provided between 3,500 and 7,000 puffs each. Under UK law, the two-millilitre capacity limit caps device output at roughly 600 puffs to restrict nicotine intake.
Oltean received an £800 fine, a £320 victim surcharge, and was ordered to pay £2,183 in prosecution costs. The company received a separate £100 fine and a £40 victim surcharge.
Cllr Richard Foster, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing our environment, said: “This successful prosecution sends a clear message that businesses selling illegal tobacco and non-compliant vaping products can expect robust enforcement action.
“The law requiring health warnings and standardised packaging for cigarettes, along with restrictions on the size and labelling of vaping products, is designed to protect consumers and support public health.
“The vapes found on sale in this case contained far more nicotine-containing liquid than is legally permitted, while the cigarettes failed to meet legal packaging requirements.
“We know residents are concerned about the availability of illegal tobacco and vapes in their communities, and trading standards officers will continue to investigate reports and take action where offences are identified.”
Residents can report suspected illegal or age-restricted product sales through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.