Tough new laws to shut down shady vape shops coming by the end of the year
Summary
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to introduce new laws by the end of the year to shut down illegal vape shops and other rogue businesses. She stated that police and councils will be granted stronger powers to close these businesses and arrest their bosses. This crackdown is a response to the discovery that approximately £1 billion is laundered through high street businesses annually. Mahmood criticized a current loophole that allows businesses to reopen before investigations conclude, stating that the new laws will double the duration of closure orders to give investigators more time. She also directed officials to urgently review the presence of vape shops, barbers, and car washes on the skilled worker sponsorship list. The initiative follows a broader crackdown on organized crime in England and Wales, backed by £30 million of funding.
(Source:The Mirror)