Yahoo News Underage sales and dodgy devices - meet the illegal vape sellers putting Lancashire to shame
Vaping can be an effective way for people wanting to ditch the ciggies to wean their way off the habit.
But with an array of colourful packaging and fruity flavours, public health officials are concerned about the rise in youngsters taking up the habit.
Children as young as eight have been seen puffing on the disposable devices - despite the law saying it is illegal for a person under 18 to buy the product, or for an adult to buy it for them.
A recent survey by trading standards in the county revealed that one in six 14-17-year-olds regularly use e-cigarettes – even though it is illegal to sell the products to under-18s or for an adult to buy them on their behalf.
Vaping is highly addicitive and has resulted in some people being admitted to hospital, after puffing the equivalent of 50 or more cigarettes a day.
Understandably, trading standards are keen to clamp down on businesses involved in supplying vapes to children. In addition to unlawful sales, many of those prosecuting have sold contraband equipment, which delivers nicotine at levels banned in the UK.
Meet the shopkeepers putting Lancashire to shame.
Takeaway boss hid dodgy e-cigs in pizza boxes and told boy, 13, 'bring your mates, cheapest vapes in town!'
A takeaway owner who sold an illegal vape to a 13-year-old told him: "Bring your mates, they are the cheapest around."
Zaishan Jahangir, 32, was the owner of Mr Zee's in Chapel Street, Chorley, when he was caught flogging illegal e-cigs. On April 18, 2023, two officers from Lancashire Trading Standards visited the shop and discovered 33 unlawful vapes, hidden in pizza boxes behind the counter.
The devices were '4,000 puff' vapes with a 10ml capacity. The legal limit is 2mg, or 600 puffs. Other legal devices were displayed on the counter, however the higher volume vapes were concealed, David Traynor, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court.
Accrington shops using 'purpose-built concealments' to hide illegal cigarettes and vapes busted
A large haul of illegal cigarettes and vapes have been uncovered amid a crackdown on the sale of illegal tobacco inside Accrington shops.
Police said stores in the Huncoat area were found to be using 'purpose-built concealments' to hide the illicit goods. Officers seized 966 packs of cigarettes, a quantity of hand-rolling tobacco and a number of vapes with a street value of over £9,500.
It was part of a 'day of action' carried out last Wednesday (April 25) by the local neighbourhood team to 'target criminal activity and anti-social behaviour in the area'. No arrests have been reported.
Preston shopkeeper caught selling dodgy vapes told to pay £23k or go to prison
A Preston shopkeeper who was caught selling a disposable vape to a schoolgirl has been hit with another £23,000 legal bill after a series of stings uncovered large hauls of dodgy vapes - and warned he has three months to pay or end up in jail.
Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards team took action on Friday (June 14) against Arif Patel and Euro News Limited, the company behind EN Newsagents on Orchard Street in the city centre. Charges were brought against the 43-year-old and the company connected with the supply of disposable e-cigarettes containing more than the maximum amount of 2ml of nicotine-containing liquid prescribed by law.
Patel, who is the company's sole director, was also ordered at Preston Crown Court to carry out 80 days of unpaid work in the community. The court heard how, in February 2023, officers seized 1,290 oversized vapes at the store where Arif Patel described himself as the manager, although he had recently taken over as sole director of the company.
Full story: Preston shopkeeper caught selling dodgy vapes told to pay £23k or go to prison
Illegal vapes haul found after shop caught selling to underage girl
More than 400 illegal vapes were seized after a shop was caught selling to an underage girl.
A test purchasing operation was carried out by Wyre Police’s Licensing Team and Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service. Out of five stores that were tested for alcohol sales, one sold alcohol to an underage female and was issued with a penalty notice for disorder.
Police said a shop also sold an illegal vape to the female. The Fleetwood premises was inspected and resulted in 425 'non-compliant vapes' being seized.
Illegal vapes haul found after shop caught selling to underage girl
