North Yorkshire considers on-the-spot fines for illegal tobacco sales
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 16:32 · Archive
North Yorkshire Council is considering fixed penalty notices for businesses selling tobacco and vapes illegally.
North Yorkshire Council is considering a revised trading standards policy that would introduce fixed penalty notices for some offences under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, alongside prosecutions for businesses caught illegally selling tobacco and vapes.
The policy aims to strengthen the council's response to underage sales, online scams and rogue traders. It also recognises the National Trading Standards e-Crime Team, which is jointly hosted in North Yorkshire and works to remove misleading websites and content. The council said the approach targets overseas websites posing as legitimate UK businesses but selling poor-quality goods or failing to deliver orders.
Councillor Richard Foster, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for managing the environment, said the policy provides 'a clear and transparent framework for enforcement' and aims to 'create a level playing field for responsible businesses'. National figures show that more than 1.19 million illegal vapes were seized in England between 2023 and 2024, while nearly a quarter of test purchases led to illegal sales to children.
How it is being reported
- North Yorkshire firms could get on-the-spot fines over illegal tobacco and vape salesNorth Yorkshire Council considers on-the-spot fines for illegal tobacco and vape sales under new trading standards policy targeting underage sales and scams.Darlington & Stockton Times · 21 Oct, 16:00
- North Yorkshire firms could get on-the-spot fines over illegal tobacco and vape salesNorth Yorkshire Council considers on-the-spot fines for illegal tobacco and vape sales under new trading standards policy targeting underage sales and scams.The Northern Echo · 21 Oct, 05:00
In this story: North Yorkshire Council · National Trading Standards e-Crime Team · Richard Foster · North Yorkshire · England
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