Stowmarket vape shop closed after illegal vape and tobacco investigation

A Stowmarket shop has been closed for three months after a joint enforcement operation reported illegal vapes, hidden tobacco and repeated concerns about underage sales.

Suffolk Constabulary said on 1 October that Diamond Vapes in Ipswich Street was served with a closure order after work by Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk Trading Standards and police. According to the police account, complaints had been made since the shop opened in 2024, including allegations that vapes had been sold to children. A Trading Standards investigation after a test purchase in April 2025 led to the seizure of 227 illegal vapes.

The police statement says officers later returned with Trading Standards and a tobacco detection dog in July, seizing a further 106 illegal vapes. They also found a concealed floor space containing 424 packs of illegal cigarettes and 203 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, described by the authorities as having a street value of almost £16,000.

The closure order was made by Ipswich Magistrates’ Court under anti-social behaviour legislation and prevents the business from opening for three months. The police report names Sarchl Ltd in connection with the order. As with all enforcement announcements, the public evidence available here is the official agency account rather than court papers or product-by-product laboratory results.

For readers, the case is a reminder that “illegal vape” can cover different issues. UK consumer e-cigarette rules restrict nicotine-containing tank capacity, refill container size and nicotine strength, while the separate single-use vape ban requires products sold by businesses to be reusable, including being rechargeable and refillable. Adult vapers buying from shops should expect clear labelling, compliant capacities and legitimate refill or replacement parts where required.