Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Saturday, 14th September 2024, at 08:10hrs
Lancashire County Council trading standards carried out over 50 stings across the summer in Lancashire.
Lancashire County Council’s trading standards department carried out the sting during the summer across Lancashire in partnership with Lancashire Police.
During the visits where test purchasers between the age of 13-16 are used to go into shops and purchase age restricted items as part of the operation saw at least twenty shops fail to ask for proof of age during the sale that took place between July and August.
The vapes sold to the volunteers in four of the premises were not legal to sell to any customers as they did not comply with the relevant safety legislation. These were found at two shops in Preston, one in Burnley and one in Colne. The vapes were seized from one shop in Preston and one in Burnley.
Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary officers to visit 56 premises across Lancaster, Wyre, Preston, Ribble Valley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Burnley, and Pendle, out of all the visits below is a list of those that failed or complied,
Lancaster: 7 attempts, 3 sales
Wyre: 9 attempts, 1 sale
Preston: 6 attempts, 3 sales
Ribble Valley: 1 attempt, no sale
Chorley: 4 attempts, 1 sale
Hyndburn: 10 attempts, 5 sales
Burnley: 6 attempts, 2 sales
Pendle: 13 attempts, 5 sales
Investigations into the failed tests are now underway by our Trading Standards team, which could result in court prosecutions. The maximum penalty for the offence of selling an e-cigarette to under-18s is a £2,500 fine, say Lancashire County Council.
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Lancashire County Council, said,
“Our summer of undercover stings showed us that there is still more to be done around youngsters not being sold vapes. It is extremely disappointing that our team found that 20 businesses that were willing to act without scruples and to sell these products to young residents in Lancashire.
“It is so important that young people are protected from buying vapes. The active ingredient in most vapes is nicotine, which is a highly addictive drug. This means that a user can become dependent on vapes, especially if they use them regularly. It is important that we protect children from this potential harm. Anyone under 18 should not be vaping.
“Anyone who has concerns about the sale of any age-restricted products can report them to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0808 223 1133.
“We are keen to see businesses in Lancashire trading successfully, but it is crucial that they do so in compliance with the law and with ensuring that the health of local residents is not put at risk by the products they sell.
Selling vapes to children is not only against the law but it can put them at risk of harm and lead to issues of anti-social behaviour.
“We will continue to work with our partners to ensure these items do not get into the hands of children and we will take robust action against those who break the law by selling them.
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