Barking & Dagenham Council crackdown on businesses selling vapes to minors

Barking and Dagenham Council ran an undercover operation last month 

Three businesses in Barking and Dagenham face prosecution as part of a crackdown on businesses who sell vapes to children.

Barking and Dagenham Council say a test purchasing operation took place last month, where two teenagers aged 13 and 14, tried to buy vapes containing nicotine from local shops.

Out of 11 premises tested, three sold to youngsters and now face prosecution.

The Council’s Trading Standards team say the protection of young people from harmful products is a top priority.

Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, Councillor Syed Ghani said: “It’s outrageous that these three businesses think it is okay to sell vapes to children as young as 13.

“We need to protect our young people and do our absolute best to stop them getting addicted to vapes, cigarettes and any other stronger substances.”

The council’s Trading Standards team say they’ll continue to run similar operations. and make sure businesses are not selling knives, alcohol, tobacco or vapes to people under the age of 18.

Anyone with concerns about traders can report them to Citizens Advice by calling 0808 223 1133.

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