Two shops in Swindon were caught selling vapes to children in an undercover operation.
Swindon Borough Council teamed up with Wiltshire Police to send a youngster – believed to be aged in their teens – into five stores to purchase electronic cigarettes.
It is illegal to sell the devices, better known as vapes, to under 18s. Businesses breaking the law could face prosecution over the offence.
The recent council-led operation focused on shops where Trading Standards had received intelligence that the law was not being followed.
Two out of the five stores tested sold the products to the under-age purchaser. The council is still investigating the stores involved – with a view to prosecute in the future.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Joint Working, said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned about disposable vapes and their popularity amongst school-aged children who should not have access to them.
“Nicotine is highly addictive, and children should not be exposed to, or be experimenting with its use.
“It is also a criminal offence to sell e-cigarette devices to under 18s and to buy them on behalf of those not old enough.
“I hope this latest operations serves as a reminder to retail premises that they should follow the law and that we will take action to ensure they are not selling these products to those under age.”
Acting Inspector, Tristan Winter, from Wiltshire Police said: “Wiltshire Police works closely with our partners to help disrupt criminal activity.
“The selling of e-cigarettes to those underage impacts their health and wellbeing, and we will continue to take action against anyone who puts young people at risk.”
