Two shops have been temporarily shut down as part of the 'fight against the sale of illegal tobacco'.
It's the first time Bristol's Trading Standards officers have taken action against shopowners for selling these 'toxic' products.
International Zabka and Ezee Shop, within yards of each other on East Street, Bedminster were served this morning (September 28).
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The action means that the two premises will be closed for 48-hours ahead of a court application on Thursday, September 30, that could see them shut for up to three months.
Supported by Avon and Somerset Police, council officers delivered the notices on the owners following an 'extensive investigation', where the venues were visited on a number of occasions.
Councillor Nicola Beech, the Cabinet member for Climate, Ecology, Waste and Energy, said: "This action is unprecedented for Bristol and demonstrates our determination not to tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco products in our city and to pursue action against those that supply and sell them.
"The sale of these products shows little regard for the impact on the health of customers and the local community, with these products often containing higher rates of toxic substances without the necessary health warnings in place.
"Our Trading Standards team have done a superb job of monitoring and gathering the evidence leading to the issuing of the closure notices, ahead of the court application for closure orders later this week and we thank the police for their co-operation in the serving of these notices.
"We want to send a strong message to those dealing in the selling of these goods and to the community which is often impacted in a negative way by the distribution of these products."
For more comprehensive information about illegal tobacco and the negative impact it has on society as well as how to report illegal sales, click here.
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