Andy Burnham confirms vape crackdown under his government with 72-hour rule
Summary
Under the new Labour government, Andy Burnham has confirmed a crackdown on vape shops to fund business rate cuts for pubs. The government intends to review reliefs for businesses that do not provide positive contributions to local communities, specifically targeting vape shops.
This initiative aims to combat organized crime, as officials report that criminal gangs use vape stores, barbers, and nail salons to launder money. To support enforcement, the government is amending the Crime and Policing Act to extend closure notices from 48 to 72 hours, allowing councils more time to gather evidence against rogue businesses.
(Source:Birmingham Live)