Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday 19th March 2025, at 10:55hrs
A recent joint operation by the Neighbourhood team and Trading Standards has uncovered a concerning trend of underage vape sales in the area.
On Monday, undercover volunteers, posing as minors, conducted test purchases at six shops across Nelson and Colne, revealing that half of the establishments failed to adhere to age verification laws.
The operation, designed to assess compliance with regulations regarding the sale of vaping products to minors, resulted in three shops selling vapes to the underage volunteers without requesting identification.
These shops are now under formal investigation by Trading Standards, facing potential legal repercussions for their failure to prevent underage sales.
“Selling vapes to children is not only illegal but can also put them at serious risk,” stated a spokesperson for the Neighbourhood team.
“We are deeply concerned by the results of this operation. Our priority is to protect young people in our community, and we will continue to work tirelessly to prevent underage access to vaping products.”
The sale of e-cigarettes or vaping products to individuals under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited in the UK. This legislation aims to safeguard young people from the potential health risks associated with nicotine and other harmful substances found in vapes.
The Neighbourhood team emphasized their commitment to addressing community concerns and collaborating with partner agencies to tackle the issue of underage vape sales.
“We have listened to the concerns of our community, and this operation is a direct result of that,” the spokesperson added.
“We will continue to conduct these types of operations and work alongside Trading Standards to ensure that retailers are complying with the law.”
The ongoing investigations by Trading Standards will focus on gathering evidence and determining appropriate enforcement actions, which may include fines, warnings, or further legal proceedings.
This operation serves as a stark reminder to retailers of their legal and ethical responsibilities in preventing underage access to age-restricted products.
The Neighbourhood team urges all businesses to ensure that their staff are fully trained in age verification procedures and to remain vigilant in preventing sales to minors.
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