A HYDE shop owner has been ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work for selling illegal vapes.
It comes as authorities have been clamping down recently on the selling of illicit disposable e-cigarettes.
Steven Rigby, of Colbourne Avenue in Romiley, admitted two counts of illegally supplying the devices when appearing before Tameside magistrates.
The court heard that Tameside Council’s trading standards officers visited The Vapes Market at 192 Market Street twice in May 2023, when advice was issued about the sale of illicit items.
They visited again in April 2024 and seized 609 disposable e-cigarettes.
“As an authority, we are committed to keeping our residents safe and, to that end, our trading standards officers will always take effective enforcement action,” said Councillor Laura Boyle, Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods.
“The illegal cigarettes trade does great harm by supporting crime rings and damaging legitimate businesses. It also facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people, which in turn is detrimental to public health.
“Fortunately, the vast majority of businesses in the borough comply with the law and we are happy to support them.”