A West Croydon retail business has been ordered to pay a total of £2,588.09 in fines and costs after a successful prosecution brought by the council’s trading standards department for selling age-restricted vapes to a youngster aged under 18.
Puffed up: there are dozens of vape shops around the borough, selling products such as this
Trading standards officers carried out an underage test purchasing operation in February, targeting illegal sales of vapes and alcohol across the borough.
One of the businesses visited was Ariana Mobile and Accessories Ltd on London Road. An underage volunteer was instructed to attempt to buy a vape in the store, with a trading standards officer accompanying them posing as another customer.
The volunteer asked for a Pink Elf Grapefruit bar vape, and was sold one.
Two officers then entered the store, explained that an offence had taken place of a vape being sold to a person under 18, took details of the ownership of the business and issued notices.
Before the exercise, all businesses concerned had been sent a letter advising that the operation would be carried out. The letter sent to Ariana Mobile and Accessories Ltd explained that a previous complaint had been received that it was allegedly selling vapes to under-18s.
It was found that the company did not provide training to staff on age-restricted goods and there was no refusals register or till prompts, which would remind staff to ask for identification on products.
The case was heard at Croydon Magistrates Court last month, when the business admitted the offence and was ordered to pay £2,588.09 in fines and costs.
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