Norton Convenience Store Ordered to Close for Selling Counterfeit Tobacco to Children
A popular convenience store called Norton in Stockton has been ordered to shut down on December 7th due to allegations of selling counterfeit and illegal tobacco products to children. The Teesside Magistrates’ Court issued the official order on Wednesday, December 6th, and it will remain in effect for three months. The Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council will be overseeing its enforcement.
During the trial, the court discovered that Norton Convenience Store was selling packs of cigarettes for only £5, which is significantly below the average market price. These tobacco products did not possess identification numbers and failed to adhere to the standardized packaging regulations outlined in the 2015 Tobacco Product Standardized Packaging Act. Furthermore, the required health warning labels were also missing, violating the laws of the land.
Norma Stephenson, a member of the Stockton-Tes District Council’s Community and Community Safety Cabinet, expressed relief at the outcome of the case. She mentioned that this particular case involving the sale of illegal tobacco to children warranted severe action. The council maintains a zero-tolerance stance against the sale of counterfeit and illegal tobacco, and offenders will face appropriate consequences.
The chief of the Stockton Community Police Department, Dan Heron, added that illegal tobacco is causing significant harm to the community, not just in terms of underage tobacco purchases but also impacting legitimate businesses. It is worth noting that illegal tobacco is often used to directly finance organized crime.
This enforcement action is part of “Operation Cece,” a joint effort by the National Trade Standards and Customs Administration to combat illegal tobacco sales.
Lord Michael Bichard, Chairman of the National Trading Standards Committee in the UK, expressed his concerns regarding the illicit tobacco trade, stating that it poses harm to local communities and affects law-abiding honest businesses.
