A Rhondda shop has been forced to CLOSE after it was issued with a Closure Order by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards department for the illegal sale of tobacco and vaping products, including reports of sales to children.
This latest case, which marks the third closure in just over a month, sends a clear message that the Council is taking robust action and working with partners to hold those who break the law to account.
Vape Zone, 29 High Street, Ferndale, CF43 4RH, which is owned byHakkar Marewani, became the subject of sustained enforcement action after officers identified a pattern of criminal behaviour involving the sale of illegal cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco and vaping products.
Vape Zone, which was seen to be marketed as a ‘sweetshop’ to avoid any suspicion being raised by the high volumes of children entering, was suspected of luring children to buy cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.
At first glance the shop sold soft drinks, sweets, crisps, some ambient food products and vapes, with no cigarettes or tobacco products being kept/offered for sale on the shop floor. The shelves are barely stocked with products placed on shallow shelves. The shop’s windows were heavily obscured by large coverings. Trading Standards officers believed all of this was being done to disguise the true nature of the business and limit visibility into the shop whereby illegal sales could be witnessed by passersby.
The officers found that illegal tobacco and vapes were repeatedly being supplied to members of the public, with complaints also alleging sales to underage persons. Officers established that products were often hidden in concealments within the premises and only produced when requested.
When Trading Standards first visited the business they removed a number of non-compliant vaping products and nicotine pouches from sale. Officers also identified food traceability breaches and provided advice to the business.
As the investigation into the shop continued, officers received nine complaints relating to the premises, including four reports alleging underage sales.
Despite repeated warnings, advice, training materials, compliance visits from and enforcement action from the team, the illegal activity continued.
A total of TEN positive test purchases were carried out during the investigation, with illegal cigarettes supplied on every occasion. The products failed to comply with the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.
Trading Standards officers also provided a refusals register, staff training materials, guidance on age-restricted sales and advice regarding legal vaping products. The business was further issued with a cease-and-desist letter and the landlord was contacted on two separate occasions regarding the ongoing offending.
However, complaints and intelligence reports continued to be received throughout the investigation.
A Closure Order was granted at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, following the detailed investigation into the premises.
On 28 July 2026, Trading Standards officers and South Wales Police attended the premises to execute a Closure Notice.
During the operation, officers discovered and seized a substantial quantity of illegal tobacco products concealed within the property with an estimated street value of legal products of over £4600, including:
- 189 packets of cigarettes
- 40 pouches of rolling tobacco
All products failed to comply with the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.
Illegal tobacco and vaping products pose significant risks to consumers because they are not subject to the same strict regulatory controls as legitimate products. Products manufactured and sold outside legal supply chains may contain unknown ingredients or contaminants and may not meet UK safety standards. Consumers have no guarantee of what these products contain or the health risks associated with using them.
Low-cost illegal tobacco and vaping products can also undermine public health initiatives by making smoking and vaping more affordable and accessible, particularly to young people.
Rhian Hope, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Director of Public Protection, said:
“This investigation uncovered persistent and deliberate criminal behaviour involving the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products to members of the public, alongside allegations of sales to underage persons.”
“What is particularly concerning is that these products were routinely concealed to avoid detection by our officers, demonstrating a clear awareness that the activity being undertaken was unlawful.”
“Despite repeated advice, warnings, training, compliance visits and enforcement action, the business continued to trade illegally. The evidence gathered showed a sustained pattern of offending and a complete disregard for the law, enforcement authorities and the local community.”
“Consumers purchasing illegal tobacco and vape products have no way of knowing exactly what they are buying. These products are not subject to the same safety regulations as legitimate goods and may contain unknown substances that pose serious risks to health.”
“The reports of underage sales are especially worrying. Cheap illegal products can make smoking and vaping more accessible to children and young people, exposing them to significant health risks.”
“I would like to thank our Trading Standards officers, South Wales Police and partner agencies for their continued work throughout this investigation. We will continue to take robust action against businesses involved in the illegal sale of tobacco and vaping products and will not hesitate to use all available powers to protect our communities.”
