Council secures six convictions for the sale of vaping products to children

Cheshire West and Chester Council secured its highest number of convictions for underage vape sales in one day earlier this week.

A total of four businesses and some members of staff were prosecuted for selling vape products to children with fines and costs between them totalling £8,297. 

Acting on complaints received, in April 2025 visits were planned to check whether sales of e-cigarettes to children were taking place at the businesses.  Child volunteers, acting under the direction of a trading standards officer, entered the premises and were sold e-cigarettes.  No identification or proof of age was requested.

Companies or owners and some staff at the following premises were prosecuted:

Go Local, 72-74 Western Grove, Upton, Chester - Today Choice UK Ltd: £1,738 total penalty (fined £345, £138 victim surcharge and £1,255 costs).

Anytime Vapes, 567, High Street, Winsford – Matthew Carter (42), the owner and person responsible for selling the vape - £2,136 total penalty (£660 fine, £1,212 costs and £264 victim surcharge).

Vape King, 8 Chester Road, Ellesmere Port -Chester Road Vape Ltd: £2,094 total penalty (£660 fine, £1,170 costs and £264 victim surcharge), and – Magdelena Klech (52) who made the sale: £193 total penalty (fines £138 and £55 victim surcharge).

Go Local, 12 Greenbank Lane, Northwich – Thusyanthan Rajaratnam (43), owner of the store: £2,080 total penalty (£600 fine, £1,240 costs, £240 victim surcharge) and Sasipirakash Antani (33), the employee who made the sale: £56 total penalty (£40 fine and £16 victim surcharge).

Councillor Stuart Bingham, Cabinet Member Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride said:

“This prosecution sends a clear message that our trading standards officers are on the lookout, and underage sales exercises happen regularly across the borough.

“Businesses are reminded to train staff thoroughly and comply with legislation. Failure to do so not only risks legal action but more importantly jeopardises the welfare of children and young people in our communities.

“Shopkeepers, please make sure your procedures and training are in place. Our trading standards team will not hesitate to act where the law is broken. Let these cases serve as a reminder that ignorance is no excuse when it comes to protecting children and young people from harmful products.”

The Council and its partner Brio Leisure have a stop smoking service for anyone in the borough who needs support.  The ‘Go Smokefree’ service allows residents to self-refer for support to quit smoking, giving them access to 12 weeks of FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy and unlimited behavioural support for as long as they feel they need. One-to-one support is available in one of 18 venues across the borough.

Additionally, residents can be supported via telephone, text, or via Brio’s Facebook page.

For more information and support visit: 

www.cheshirechangehub.org

...email at: 

hello@cheshirechangehub.org 

or call on:

0300 777 0033