City of Cologne closes four kiosks for serious violations of the law!

City of Cologne closes four kiosks for serious violations of the law!

In Cologne, the Ordnungsamt is alarm: After serious violations of the youth protection law and tobacco and alcohol legislation have once again been found in the past few months, the authorities have closed and sealed four kiosks in the Kalk and Mülheim districts. This consistent measure is intended to show that there is no legal space for illegal business in the city. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger that all four kiosks were found several times, tobacco, alcohol and other alcoholic products.

The control measures of the city of Cologne are the result of large -scale, intensive exams that have been carried out since November 2024. The regulatory office not only carries out regular inspections, but also test purchases, in which the violations of age restrictions are "terrifyingly high". There were also serious problems with the closed kiosks: At a check in February 2025, an employee tried one of the kiosks to flee with illegal goods and resisted. In addition, an operator asked a youthful test buyer to keep her identity and improve it.

strict controls and high fines

The city of Cologne has set itself the goal of further increasing the control pressure. In all four closed kiosks, electronic cigarettes without a valid tax banderole and products were not approved for EU sales. Such violations have far -reaching consequences: the operators have to expect fines of up to 50,000 euros. These high punishments should not only serve as a deterrent, but also help to permanently prevent the illegal structures. The Press release of the city of Cologne clearly emphasizes that three responsible persons are already involved in forced, bushed and warming money procedures.

Another problem that alerts the authorities is the poor training of the sales staff. Often, employees are not sufficiently prepared to take heart to the regulations of the Youth Protection Act. This stipulates that proof of age must be clearly checked and expresses a strict ban against the sale of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages to children and adolescents. The lekkerland magazine informs that the submission must not be refused if the age cannot be verified.

Future of the kiosks in Cologne

The perspective for the affected kiosks is anything but rosy. Since the operators are considered repeat offenders, a permanent ban on operating cannot be ruled out. According to the well-founded investigations and the significant signal on the part of the city, this could mean the end for numerous kiosks if no measures for commercial and legal certainty are taken. The controls are continued to uncover any straw man constructions and to counteract other violations.

Overall, it can be seen that in Cologne the topic of youth protection and compliance with the applicable laws is a top priority - both for the authorities and for those affected who have to engage in the rules. A good knack for checking and enforcing the legal provisions is required here. The questionable question of how to offer young buyers effectively remains central to the future development of these kiosk companies.