Vape business fined following underage sale

Wednesday, 25 September 2024 06:05

The owner of a vape shop in Salisbury has been prosecuted for selling a disposable vape to a minor following an investigation by Wiltshire Council’s trading standards officers.

Red Power Market Ltd, in Minster Street, Salisbury, pleaded guilty at Salisbury Magistrates Court, to selling a disposable vape to a 15-year-old trading standards volunteer. The seller failed to request proof of age, despite the legal age limit for the sale of e-cigarettes being 18 and over. At the hearing, held on Monday 23rd September, the business owner was issued with a fine of £500 and ordered to pay other costs of £956.42.

Since opening in October 2023, Red Power Ltd has also been the subject of three separate seizures of illegal tobacco and vape products. Despite seizures and advice, reports into the sale of illegal/non-compliant disposable vapes and illicit tobacco products have continued together with numerous reports of sales of vapes to children.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This second court hearing for Red Power Market Ltd relates to the sale of a vape product to a child. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in the number of complaints of vaping products being sold to children. With these types of products regularly being sold at pocket money prices, manufactured in bright colours and sweet enticing flavours, young people find them attractive.

“Our advice to all retailers selling these types of products is to train their staff and implement systems to prevent the sale of such items to children under the age of 18. They should also be aware of the potential consequences if they fail to take adequate precautions.

“Officers had previously visited to advise the retailers how to prevent underaged sales prior to the test purchase being carried out, meaning that this further action was taken. I want to thank our trading services team for their diligence and perseverance in this case to achieve these results and showing that we are acting on our Business Plan commitment to safeguard our residents from harm and tackle businesses that aren’t complying with the law.”

A three-month closure order for the store was granted in August, following an application under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, by Wiltshire Council trading standards officers. The closure order means that only those who are named habitual residents and authorised persons are permitted to enter the address. Anyone else entering the premises is committing a criminal offence and on conviction may be sentenced to 51 weeks imprisonment and/or a fine.

More from Local News

Shops to stay open for 'Festive Shopping' evening

Shops will open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th, for an evening of festive shopping in Salisbury, the City of the Stars, this Christmas.
A step towards a safer community as Speedwatch group gets underway

Laverstock & Ford Parish Council saw their inaugural Community Speedwatch get underway this month after some initial setbacks.
Trainee teacher takes part in prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show in London to raise awareness of liver disease

A trainee teacher and marathon runner who is waiting for a liver transplant, was a special guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London last Saturday, representing the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity.
Residents encouraged to ‘Ask the Leader’ at event in Amesbury

Wiltshire Council is continuing to host its series of community events across the county where people can ask questions to find out more about the work of the council, with the Leader of the Council having visited 16 of Wiltshire’s 18 community areas so far.
Three men arrested in connection with van break-in series

Wiltshire Police have arrested three people in connection with an investigation into thefts from vans across the county, during which thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen.
Wiltshire Council working hard to reduce overspend

Wiltshire Council has provided its second formal update of the 2024/25 financial year, which shows its previously forecasted overspending has reduced significantly.
Wiltshire's recycling collection to change from 2027

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed its future approach to collecting recycling when its current contracts to carry out this service come to an end in 2026.
Salisbury based trains fitted with new anti-slip tech

A new initiative between Network Rail and South Western Railway has more than doubled the number of trains treating the railway and keeping the tracks leaf-free this Autumn.