Tonypandy shop closed after illegal tobacco and vape investigation

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council says a shop in Tonypandy has been closed following an investigation into illegal tobacco and non-compliant vaping products.

The council said it obtained and enforced a closure order for My Pandy, 110 Dunraven Street, after a Trading Standards investigation. Officers reported seven complaints and six intelligence reports linked to the business, including allegations about tobacco sales to children.

According to the council, a joint operation on 4 September 2026 with Operation CeCe, HMRC and South Wales Police resulted in the seizure of 363 packs of cigarettes, two pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and 21 high-capacity disposable vapes. The council identified the vaping products as 20 Hayati 4,000-puff disposable vapes and one Aladin 20,000-puff disposable vape.

The closure was announced on 28 September 2026 and follows four other RCT shop closures announced the previous week. That makes it a separate later development, involving a named premises and a new seizure list.

The legal context

The GOV.UK single-use vapes ban guidance says it is illegal for businesses to sell, supply, offer to sell, or stock single-use vapes for supply. It also states that reusable vapes must have a rechargeable battery, a refillable container and a replaceable coil if the vape contains a coil.

Separately, the MHRA e-cigarette regulations guidance says nicotine vape tanks are restricted to 2ml and nicotine strength is restricted to 20mg/ml, with notification required before sale.

The council’s release does not provide laboratory analysis for each vape. The most reliable reading is therefore narrow: Trading Standards says these products were high-capacity disposable vapes and were seized as part of a wider illegal-trading investigation. Adult vapers should avoid informal or suspiciously cheap supply routes and use reputable retailers covered by UK product rules.