A vaping specialist is set to open four new stores this month across South Wales including one in Newport/

The expansion, by VPZ, will bring an investment of £400,000 and 20 new jobs across the four stores.

Doug Mutter, director at VPZ, said: “Wales represents an untapped customer base for VPZ and will be a key area of growth for us during 2019.”

The firm opened its first Wales store in Cardiff at the start of 2018.

The first of four new stores opened in Bridgend on Friday April 5, with further sites in Port Talbot, Newport and Swansea opening their doors during the rest of the month.

The new locations will see the company grow its staff numbers to 25 across Wales.

The investment has been announced as VPZ forges ahead with growth plans to treble its store footprint to 300 in the UK by 2021.

Director Doug Mutter revealed that to mark National Vaping Awareness month, VApril, VPZ is offering the first 100 customers to each of the new stores a free e-cigarette starter kit.

He said: “There is significant growth potential in Wales for VPZ – our new stores give us a greater reach and platform to engage and educate smokers on the benefits of switching to vaping.

“At a time when businesses are turning their backs on the High Street, we are showing our commitment to investing and creating local job opportunities throughout the country.

“Vaping represents a huge public health opportunity and the market will continue to grow as increasing numbers of smokers recognise its effectiveness in helping people to quit smoking.

“Consumer education is crucial too and our knowledgeable staff are always available with advice that helps make it easy for smokers to make the switch and give up cigarettes once and for all.”