A corner shop in Wallsend is the latest to be ordered to close for three months as North Tyneside Council continues its crackdown on illegal tobacco.
The tenants of the Madina Mini Market, High Street East, Wallsend, were found to be selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products on three separate occasions and have been told to shut up shop.
On June 2, the council was granted a three-month closure order by North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court requiring the premises to close with immediate effect.
It was granted after Trading Standards Officers discovered illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco on the premises and in vehicles parked nearby during three visits.
It’s the fourth time in as many months that the council has obtained a closure order to tackle the supply of illicit cigarettes. One shop has had its closure order extended for a further three months amid ongoing concerns, and non-compliant e-cigarettes have been seized from several premises.
If you are aware of any ongoing sale or supply of illicit and counterfeit tobacco products, you can report it anonymously via the Keep-It-Out website at
https://keep-it-out.co.uk/anonymous-reporting/
Residents of North Tyneside wishing to quit smoking may be entitled to free support.
If you would like to find out more about local stop smoking support please call 0191 643 7171 (phone lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) or email stopsmoking@northtyneside.gov.uk
