Underage consumers are 'easily' accessing age-restricted products and services on the high street, including nicotine vapes and cosmetic surgery, an investigation by Which? has revealed. Teenagers aged 14 to 17 were sent into shops with hidden cameras and were routinely able to purchase these goods without being asked for identification.
In one London high street, five out of eight shops sold nicotine vapes to underage shoppers. Some did not ask for ID, while others sold the product even after being told the shopper had no ID. It is illegal to sell nicotine vapes to children, carrying a fine of £2,500.
In another case, a 17-year-old girl booked a lip filler appointment without being asked for ID. She received a consultation without proving her age. It is illegal to administer botox or lip filler to anyone under 18 in England, even with parental consent.
Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Protection Policy, said: 'It shouldn't be this easy for a 14-year-old to walk into a shop and buy a vape, or for a 17-year-old to book a lip filler appointment. Rogue businesses increasingly feel they can break the law because they are unlikely to be caught.' She called for a restructured consumer enforcement system with better intelligence sharing and stronger oversight.
Trading Standards offices are under strain, with spending cut by over 50% and staffing down 30% in the past decade. One in five teams reported no criminal prosecutions in 2023-24. CTSI Chief Executive John Herriman warned that without adequate investment, unsafe goods, doorstep crime, and fraud will continue to rise.
