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Illegal tobacco, vapes and cash seized

Officers from Heart of the South West Trading Standards took part in a major operation to disrupt the sale of illegal tobacco across the region last week. During Thursday and … Continue reading

Trading standards finds that some ‘nicotine free vapes’ contain nicotine

Vital sampling work carried out by Heart of the South West Trading Standards has lifted the lid on the sale of ‘nicotine free’ vapes across the region which actually contain … Continue reading

Illegal tobacco and vapes seized in shops across the region

More than £37,000 of illegal tobacco, vapes and cash was seized by our Trading Standards Officers during a recent operation. The five-week operation during January and February saw officers from … Continue reading

Children’s beach shoes containing banned levels of plastic-softening chemicals removed from sale

Trading Standards is recommending that children’s plastic beach shoes are tested nationally after some products on sale in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay were found to contain banned levels of … Continue reading

Most businesses inspected are following fireworks rules

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service recently inspected 49 businesses and shops across Devon and Somerset to ensure they were following firework safety regulations – and we found … Continue reading

Taunton business prosecuted after vape sale to under 18

The owner of a corner shop has been ordered to pay £2,326 after an employee sold a disposable vape to a customer who was under 18. It’s the third prosecution … Continue reading

Traders reminded to ‘ask for ID’ after another shop owner is fined for selling vapes

The owner of a vapes shop has been ordered to pay fines and costs of £3,550 after he admitted selling vapes to a customer under the age of 18. It’s … Continue reading

Thousands of pounds worth of illicit tobacco seized in Exmouth

Illegal tobacco products and vapes worth more than £10,000 were discovered by detection dogs and seized by Trading Standards officers during an operation in Exmouth, East Devon, last week. It … Continue reading

Local shopkeepers urged to ‘ask for ID’ after trader is prosecuted

Businesses are being warned that they are putting their livelihoods at risk by not asking for identification when selling age-restricted goods such as vapes, tobacco and alcohol. It follows the … Continue reading

Farmer fined thousands for forging salmonella test results

A Somerset farmer has been ordered to pay more than £50,000 for failing to test chickens and eggs for salmonella before they went into the food chain and for presenting … Continue reading


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