Council operation targets underage vaping sales

Cheshire West and Chester Council has successfully targeted shops that sell nicotine vapes to children in a joint operation with Cheshire Police.

The operation targeted five premises based on intelligence that underage sales of vaping products were taking place.

During the operation three of the five premises visited sold a nicotine vape to a child.  Of those three, two also sold illegal devices which were seized by officers.

In total, 242 illegal vapes, 4140 illicit cigarettes and 700g of illicit hand-rolling tobacco were seized.

Investigations are now underway to determine whether offences have been committed by shop workers who sold the goods, and the businesses responsible for the sale of the goods, under legislation that prohibits the sale of nicotine products to anyone under the age of 18.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, Councillor Christine Warner said:

“This successful operation shows how we will take swift action against retailers who continue to sell these products to under 18s.  The sale of age-restricted products to young people under the age of 18 is a criminal offence.

“Our work with retailers will continue to ensure they are aware of their legal obligations and these products are kept out of the hands of our young people, to protect them from harming their health.”

Dr Helen Bromley, Director of Public Health said:

“Smoking is an addiction which is mainly taken up in teenage years, most regret starting and find it difficult to quit. In recent years there has also been an alarming increase in the number of children and young people vaping.

“It is totally unacceptable that colourful, covetable, plastic vapes with a variety of enticing flavours are permeating children’s lives and setting them up for a life-long nicotine addiction.

“I welcome the enforcement activity undertaken to remove harmful products from the market. Discouraging young people from smoking and vaping remains a priority for Cheshire West and Chester Council.”