A Burntwood shop has been closed for the second time in six months after being found selling illegal cigarettes and vapes.
On Tuesday 2 June, Lichfield District Council’s Environmental Health team, working alongside Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards, investigated American Candy in Water Street.
A test purchase was made at the shop and officers discovered 5,720 cigarettes, 67 illegal vapes and 0.3 kilograms of rolling tobacco, together with a car believed to be involved in the activity.
Yesterday, Cannock Magistrates' Court granted a Closure Order on the shop for the maximum legal period of three months, with immediate effect. This is the second time the business has been subject to the strongest closure powers currently available under legislation, following a previous Closure Order granted in January after illegal cigarettes and vapes were discovered on the premises during an operation in December 2025.
Councillor Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Public Protection, said:
"Our officers continue to work hard alongside partner agencies to tackle this criminal activity across the district. Shops that sell illegal cigarettes and vapes pose a risk to public health, damage legitimate businesses and are often linked to wider criminal activity.
"This is the second time we have secured the maximum Closure Order available under current legislation against this premises. We share residents’ frustration that the law only allows businesses to be closed for up to three months at a time, which is why we are calling for stronger powers and tougher sanctions for repeat offenders.
"We will continue to work with our partners to investigate reports of illegal activity and take robust enforcement action wherever the evidence allows."
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:
"This is yet another positive result in our joint efforts to tackle the sale of illicit and illegal goods. “By working in partnership with Staffordshire Police and our district and borough colleagues we’ve been able to close over a dozen shops in recent months.
"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.
"The action we’re taking sends out a clear message that we do not tolerate crime on our high streets and will take firm action against those who flout the law."