An Edgware business has been fined over £5,000 for selling vapes to children for the second time.
Fone Us Edgware Ltd was handed the fine by Willesden Magistrates Court on 21 March, 2024, after being caught selling vapes to two 14-year-olds by Barnet Council’s Trading Standards team.
Director Sheroz Talib pleaded guilty on behalf of the company to a charge of selling nicotine products to persons aged under 18 years old.
The court heard that the vapes were sold to two 14-year-olds without challenge to their age only two months after a previous conviction for the same type of offence. The Trading Standards officers were not satisfied that adequate training had taken place to prevent such sales from happening to children, whose health can be affected through vaping.
Mr Talib apologised for the sale and stated that training is provided and that he has signs to that effect in the shop. He added that he had sacked the employee who sold the vapes.
A Barnet Council spokesperson said:
“Whilst we are pleased that the total costs to be paid for this offence are £5,228, it is disappointing that this trader had not learnt from his previous conviction where he was fined a total of £3,334. The protection of children is of paramount importance and our Trading Standards Team are determined to stamp out the underage sales of vapes and other products such as knives, cigarettes and alcohol.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Fone Us Edgware Ltd pleaded guilty to the following offence:
The sale of nicotine products to a person aged under 18 contrary to Section 92 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and Regulation 3 of the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015.
Fone Us Edgware Ltd - £1,667 fine, victim surcharge £666, £2,895 costs – a total of £5,228
- Vapes are electronic devices that let you inhale nicotine in a vapour instead of smoke. This is done by heating a solution (e-liquid) that typically contains propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings and nicotine.
- According to the NHS Young people and vaping - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Vaping exposes users to some toxins, and we do not yet know what the risks might be in the longer term.
- Most vapes contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance that can be hard to stop using once you have started.
- Nicotine is more risky for young people than for adults, as evidence suggests the developing brain is more sensitive to its addictive effects.
- In the UK, it is against the law to sell nicotine vaping products to under 18s or for adults to buy them on their behalf.
- Some disposable vapes on sale are illegal as they do not meet UK safety regulations. They contain high levels of harmful substances.
