Northwich shop owner prosecuted after illegal vapes seized

A Northwich shop owner has been fined and ordered to pay costs after more than 1,300 illegal vapes were discovered during an inspection by Cheshire West and Chester Council's Trading Standards team.

Surendranathan Shanmuganathan (58), owner of Pounds and Pennies on Manchester Road, Northwich, appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court on 5 November 2026 following an investigation.

The case followed an unannounced inspection at the business on 26 June 2025, during which officers seized 1,346 electronic cigarettes that breached the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and/or the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024. The products were found stored in drawers behind the shop counter.

Investigations established that Surendranathan Shanmuganathan had been responsible for the premises since January 2019. During the investigation, the defendant did not attend a voluntary interview under caution, instead submitting a prepared statement.

He stated that the products had been left at the shop by a door-to-door vape seller and were not offered for sale. However, inspecting officers found the vapes arranged by brand and flavour and stored in varying quantities, which they believed indicated they were intended for supply.

At Chester Magistrates' Court, Surendranathan Shanmuganathan was fined £615, ordered to pay prosecution costs of £892 and a victim surcharge of £246. The court also ordered the forfeiture of all seized vapes.

Councillor Stuart Bingham, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride, said:

"Illegal vaping products undermine legitimate businesses, can pose risks to consumers and have no place in our communities.

"Our officers regularly carry out inspections and investigations to identify businesses that are not complying with the law. Where appropriate, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action to protect consumers and support responsible retailers.

“We will continue working to remove illegal products from sale and help protect residents, particularly young people, from potentially unsafe and unregulated goods."

The Council's Trading Standards and Legal teams work closely with partner agencies to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products, helping to protect public health and ensure a level playing field for compliant businesses.

Cases such as this also support wider efforts to prevent age-restricted products falling into the hands of children and young people.

The Council and its partner Brio Leisure have a stop smoking service for anyone in the borough who needs support.  The ‘Go Smokefree’ service allows residents to self-refer for support to quit smoking, giving them access to 12 weeks of FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy and unlimited behavioural support for as long as they feel they need. One-to-one support is available in one of 18 venues across the borough.

Additionally, residents can be supported via telephone, text, or via Brio’s Facebook page.

For more information and support visit:

https://www.brioleisure.org/what-we-offer/wellbeing/smoking-cessation

...or call:

0300 777 0033

...or email:

wellbeing@brioleisure.org