Trading Standards Officers carried out a test purchase exercise at 15 shops, nine of which were to shops that had previously sold age restricted products without checking the customer’s age.

Five of the nine shops again sold nicotine vaping products to the underage volunteer, so received a fixed penalty notice. These shops will be kept under scrutiny and, if they continue to breach the law, they could be banned from selling these products for up to two years.

The other shops correctly asked the volunteer to provide proof of age when they tried to buy tobacco or nicotine vaping products.

“All the premises were visited by officers before our test purchase exercise to remind owners of the requirement to operate an age verification policy and ask for ID from anyone who looks under the age of 25,” said Paul Bannister, Protective Services Manager.

“So it was disappointing that five shops did not follow the guidance they were given and continued to sell nicotine vaping products without checking the customer’s age.

“This is a serious breach of the law, and we will pursue a banning order against any business selling tobacco or nicotine vaping products contrary to the regulations three times in any two-year period.”

Businesses who would like advice on underage sales can contact Trading Standards on tradingstandards@northlan.gov.uk.

“The law relating to sales of tobacco and nicotine vaping products exists to protect young people from the severe health risks of smoking and the risk of nicotine addiction,” said Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Place Committee, which oversees the work of the Trading Standards Service.

“The council takes very seriously its role in preventing sales of tobacco and nicotine vaping products to under 18s, and we regularly carry out test purchase exercises to ensure businesses are complying with the regulations.” 

Any member of the public who suspects a trader is selling tobacco, nicotine vaping products, solvents, alcohol or other age restricted products to under 18s, can contact the council at tradingstandards@northlan.gov.uk to provide information, in confidence.