Hillingdon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Hillingdon company director was fined after his Hayes shop sold illegal tobacco and vapes to children during repeated test purchase operations.
On Tuesday, October 28, Fateh Singh Arora, 41, of Clement Court, Green Lane, Hounslow, the commercial director of FS Arora UK Ltd, which operates as Bal Supermarket, 65- 67 Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, made an appearance at Uxbridge Adjudicators’ Court.
In violation of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the Formalized Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015, Arora entered a guilty plea to 35 charges on behalf of the pot and 33 offenses in his individual capacity.
On the same day, Anthony Thomas, 60, of Hamilton Road, Hayes, who works at Bal Supermarket, also appeared in court and entered a shamefaced plea to one charge of dealing unpackaged cigarettes in violation of the Children and Young People( Protection from Tobacco) Act of 1991.
On June 13, 2024, the trade norms platoon of Hillingdon Council conducted an examination with the help of a specially trained tobacco detecting canine in response to reports of illegal deals at the store. Officers found 415 large vapes that were above the 2 milliliter legal limit and 422 packets of illicit shisha during the visit.
On November 16, 2024, Trading norms ran a test buy operation at the business. Despite being underage, two levies, periods 14 and 16, were suitable to buy a vaporizer. On the same day, two single cigarettes were sold to officers outside of their original package.
fresh information revealed that the store was still dealing single cigarettes and lawless tobacco. On January 11, 2025, Thomas conducted another test buy operation in which he vended two single cigarettes to the cops
Officers also sequestered lawless tobacco products during that visit, including seven large vapes, 200g of fake rolling tobacco, 176 packets of oral tobacco with incorrect health warning markers, 1,340 cigarettes without UK packaging, andnon-duty paid tobacco.
Arora was ordered by the court to pay£ 5,850, which included a forfeiture of£ 1,500, a victim charge of £1,200, and half of the council’s execution costs of £3,150.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said:
“We’re determined to keep Hillingdon a safe borough and tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes to protect residents from harm.
IAt’s already concerning that vapes are being marketed to children by manufacturers but it’s simply unacceptable for business owners to be selling age-restricted products to children.
Our trading standards team works tirelessly to catch retailers who flout the law and where possible take them to court.”
What actions has Hillingdon Council taken to prevent repeat offences?
Hillingdon Council has taken a multi-agency, cooperation- driven approach to help reprise offences similar as illegal tobacco and vape deals, fastening on enforcement, forestallment, and community engagement.
Prevention programs addressing underpinning issues, including youth engagement and interventions to attack substance abuse and dependence , which are linked to illegal deals and other crimes. Encouraging residents to report suspected illegal deals to help enforcement efforts. These concerted efforts aim to produce sustained dislocation to illegal trade and cover vulnerable communities from detriment due to illegal tobacco and vape access.
Using a range of enforcement tools similar as disbandment orders, community protection warnings, empowering interventions, and executions to discourage reprise offences. Environmental advancements like better lighting and CCTV installation to reduce crime openings.