Four businesses in North Tyneside are under investigation after selling vapes to teenagers as part of a test purchase operation led by the council’s Trading Standards team.
The operation was carried out with the help of Northumbria Police Cadets, aged just 15 and 16, who went undercover to check whether local shops were complying with the law on age-restricted sales.
They visited eight premises across the borough, following reports from the public about the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s.
Four of the shops failed the test, selling disposable vapes and an e-liquid to the underage volunteers, and none of them asked for any proof of age.
It is against the law to sell vapes or e-liquids to anyone under 18. Businesses found to be in breach of these laws may face enforcement action, including closure orders or prosecution.
The Challenge 25 scheme encourages retailers to request identification from anyone who appears to be under the age of 25, helping ensure compliance with age-restricted sales legislation.
North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Karen Clark, said: “Selling vapes to children is completely unacceptable. Businesses have a clear duty to follow the law and help protect young people. While most do the right thing, there are still some who don’t. Our Trading Standards team will continue to take firm action, working alongside our colleagues at Northumbria Police, to uphold the law, keep young people safe, and support responsible retailers.”
Chief Inspector David Morrison, of Northumbria Police’s North Tyneside Area Command, said: “We understand that the rise of vaping by young people is a real worry for many parents and that is why we have increased our activity to crack down on illegal sales to under 18s.
“Retailers should be aware that it is a criminal offence to sell nicotine-based e-cigarettes to under 18s.
“Rest assured, we will continue to work alongside our partners at North Tyneside Council to run test purchasing operations and hold repeated rule breakers to account.
“The law is there for a reason and no responsible retailers should be selling these items to those who are not old enough to buy them.”
Anyone with concerns or information about the sale of age-restricted products to minors can report it to Citizens Advice via: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/ or contact North Tyneside Trading Standards directly by email at: Trading.Standards@northtyneside.gov.uk