Luton shops prosecuted as Luton council cracks down on illegal vapes and tobacco
Luton businesses have faced prosecution as the council’s trading standards cracks down on illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco across the town.
The council said multiple prosecutions and enforcement actions have resulted in fines, community orders and forced closures.
Among those prosecuted was Azhar Akbar, aged 40, of Fitzroy Avenue, director of Milano Services Limited on Leagrave Road.
Nearly 500 illegal vapes were seized from his premises in February 2025. But more sales took place afterwards, along with two further small seizures.
Akbar admitted to five charges at Luton Magistrates’ Court on June 9 and was fined £5,000. He was also ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £2,661 in costs, a total of £9,661.
Chapel Street Groceries, at 5 Chapel Street, was issued a three-month closure order following a contested hearing at Luton Magistrates’ Court on July 3.
The order was made because of repeated sales of illicit tobacco.
Another case involved Mohammed Abul Hasan, aged 40, of Essex Street, director of HD Store-UK Limited, trading as Vapes Bazaar.
The court heard that multiple illegal vape sales had taken place between October 2024 and March 2025, with several seizures of illicit vapes and cigarettes carried out between January and June 2025.
The company was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay £2,514.25 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Hasan was also ordered to pay £2,514.25 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. He received an 18-month Community Order, including 270 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation days.
Owner of Park Shop on Park Street, Asfen Deno, aged 26, of High Town Road, was sentenced at Luton Magistrates’ Court on August 4, after pleading guilty to numerous offences involving the sale of illegal cigarettes and possession of illegal vapes for sale.
Deno received a 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work and a £114 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to pay £2,513.80 in costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £2,627.80.
Councillor Yaqub Hanif, cabinet member for trading standards, said: “These successful prosecutions demonstrate the diligence of our Trading Standards in protecting residents against those who sell illegal and dangerous products in Luton.
“Illegal tobacco and vapes can cause serious harm to residents’ health and undermine legitimate businesses. We will continue to work to identify those involved in this trade and take action where the law is broken.”
Residents who have information about premises or individuals selling or storing illicit cigarettes, tobacco, shisha or vapes in Luton can report it confidentially through the Keep It Out website.