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# Burntwood shops forced to close over sales of illegal cigarettes and vapes
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/burntwood-shops-forced-to-close-over-sales-of-illegal-cigarettes-and-vapes/
- Published: 2025-12-19T19:57:26.000Z
- Updated: 2025-12-19T19:57:41.000Z
- Description: Two Burntwood shops have been forced to close after selling illegal cigarettes and vapes.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:45, News

TWO Burntwood shops have been forced to close after selling illegal cigarettes and vapes.

Sankeys Vape on Bridge Cross Road and American Candy on Water Street were raided on 17th December by Lichfield District Council’s environmental health team, Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards and Staffordshire Police.

It is the latest action to be taken following “targeted intelligence-gathering”.

Cannock Magistrates’ Court has now granted a Closure Order for Sankeys Vape for the maximum legal period of three months with immediate effect.

American Candy has been made subject to an interim Closure Order, and the matter will return to court for a decision on 2nd January.

Cllr Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council’s cabinet member for community and public protection, said:

> “We will not tolerate criminality in our district. Shops selling illegal cigarettes and vapes put public health at risk, damage legitimate businesses and fuel wider criminal activity.   
>  
> “Wherever these outlets pop up, we will work with our partners to shut them down and use the full force of the law to keep our communities safe.  
>  
> “The outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of partnership working with Trading Standards and the Police. We encourage residents to report concerns about suspected illicit product sales via the County Council Trading Standards ‘Report it’ web page.”

Cllr Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety and resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:

> “This is another great result in our joint efforts to tackle the sale of illicit and illegal goods in Staffordshire.  
>  
> “By working in partnership, we’ve been able to close two more shops that have been flouting the law. It also sends out a clear message that we do not tolerate crime on our high streets.  
>  
> “These products not only undermine legitimate businesses but pose serious health risks, especially to young people. The sale of illicit tobacco and vapes is not a victimless crime. It fuels organised criminal networks and undermines the safety of our streets.”