Exmouth vape shops closed

Two Exmouth shops have been shut down for three months for selling illegal tobacco. Exeter Magistrates Court granted three-month closure orders on the International Mini Market on The Strand and … Continue reading →

Farming family banned from keeping animals for 10 years

A family of livestock and dairy farmers have been banned from keeping cattle, sheep and pigs for 10 years, and each ordered to pay more than £3,000 in costs for … Continue reading →

Businesses reminded that disposable vapes ban begins this Sunday

Businesses across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay are being reminded by Trading Standards to ensure that they are ready for when the ban on disposable vapes begins on 1 June. … Continue reading →

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 →

Avian Influenza update

In response to the escalating number of cases of avian influenza and continued heightened risk levels in wild birds, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures came … Continue reading →

Check the label; some US-style sweets may contain banned additives

Consumers buying American-style and imported sweets are being urged to check the label to ensure that they do not contain additives banned in the UK. Heart of the South West … Continue reading →

8 scams to be aware of this Christmas

We’re urging consumers to be on their guard against scams as the festive shopping period gets underway. Here are eight types of scams prevalent at this time of year – … Continue reading →