Dilbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Authorities in Dilbeek have shut down a night shop following the discovery of illegal vapes and expired products during an inspection by regulatory officials.
The store was caught twice for infractions by the municipality. For instance, the store sold tobacco, cosmetics, and illicit vapes.
The inspection service discovered expired items during a follow-up examination. For a minimum of one month, the store must be closed.
The inspection services have been keeping an eye on the nightclub Avash Market in Dilbeek, Belgium, for a while.
The illegal selling of tobacco, nicotine pouches, cosmetics, and e-cigarettes forced the proprietors to close for two weeks over the Easter holidays.
More infractions were found by the inspection services as they kept an eye on the night business.
“This was less than a month after Avash Market reopened its doors,” says mayor Willy Segers (N-VA).
“This time, products were found on the shelves that had passed their expiration date. The merchandise was poorly labeled and illegal products were found again.”
“So there is a risk to public health again. That is why we have closed Avash Market again, this time for a period of one month,” the mayor concludes.
What actions are being taken to prevent shops from selling tobacco again in Dilbeek?
Certain jurisdictions are enacting or bolstering tobacco retail licensing programs that mandate wholesalers and retailers to possess current licenses, which may be denied or canceled if they are discovered to be selling illicit tobacco goods. Because of this, tobacco vendors are subject to more scrutiny and accountability.
By hiring more inspectors and enforcement personnel to carry out focused retail inspections, governments are stepping up their enforcement operations.
To discourage infractions, penalties for selling illegal tobacco are being greatly increased. This includes large fines for both people and businesses.
Together, tobacco businesses and authorities are putting strong track-and-trace systems, encrypted tax stamps, and product authentication technology into place.
By preventing the diversion of legitimate products into illegal markets, these systems assist law enforcement in locating and seizing unlawful goods.
