Nine Denbighshire businesses fail test after selling vapes to child

Nine businesses in Denbighshire have failed a test purchase exercise after selling vapes to a child.

Trading standards officers from Denbighshire Council recently conducted a series of tests across the county using a 15-year-old volunteer.

They attempted to purchase age-restricted e-cigarettes at 29 businesses in total, with nine failing the test after the volunteer was able to buy a vape without showing ID.

In one premises, the volunteer was able to purchase an illegal vape which should not have been available on the UK market.

This was due to the amount of liquid contained within the tank, along with labelling issues and the product not being registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency.

The discovery led to the seizure of a substantial amount of stock from the premises.

Councillor Win Mullen-James, the local authority’s lead member for local development and planning, said: “It is illegal for anybody under the age of 18 to purchase an e-cigarette, and laws in relation to age restricted products are in place to safeguard young people.

“It is disappointing to see that nine businesses have sold these products to a 15-year-old.

“However, it is important to highlight that 20 premises correctly asked for identification and/or refused the sale.

“These products contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance and children should not be able to access these products.

“I am assured that Denbighshire Trading Standards will continue to visit any premises selling these products and the failed business premises will now be investigated, with appropriate action taken”.

Businesses can get in touch with Denbighshire’s Trading Standards team for advice on vaping products via the council’s website.

The authority has also asked any residents aware of businesses in Denbighshire selling non-compliant vaping products, or which are selling products to children, to report them.

This can be done through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, for the Welsh language, or 0808 223 1144, or online.