A shocking new report has revealed the scale of illegal vapes and cigarettes sold to children in Scotland. An investigation by Trading Standards officers found more than one in five shops sold vapes to an underage volunteer test purchaser, while one in ten also sold cigarettes.
Officers using the volunteer made 677 test purchases of vapes and 289 test purchases of tobacco at premises across Scotland. Vapes were sold to the under-18 volunteer on 148 occasions, while cigarettes were sold 38 times. In total, 207 on-the-spot Fixed Penalty fines were issued by Trading Standards officers to shop staff for selling vape and tobacco products to the underage test purchaser.
Concerns Over Youth Access
Chris Bell, Chair of the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland, said: “The health of young people is a key priority for Trading Standards and smoking is the greatest threat to their health and development, especially for younger children. These results are very concerning and we will be stepping up efforts this year to support sellers with advice and continue to take enforcement action where sellers break the law.”
Bell added: “Vapes can be a useful cessation aid for smokers who want to give up smoking, but they are not intended as a lifestyle product for young people. The bright packaging colours and sugary and fruity flavours are child appealing, and they are too easily available.”
Health Experts React
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, commented: “It is deeply disappointing that some retailers are selling addictive and health harming tobacco and recreational nicotine products such as vapes to children. It is vital that retailers are held to account for under-age sales of cigarettes which, when used as manufacturers intend, will kill up to two thirds of consumers and vapes containing addictive nicotine and toxic chemicals that can damage developing lungs and brains over time.”
Industry Response
Luke McGarty of the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) said: “The SGF is fully committed to responsible retailing, and we work closely with both Trading Standards and the Scottish Government to promote high standards of compliance across Scotland’s convenience sector. Alongside regular updates and practical guidance for our members.
“We firmly believe that vape and tobacco products should never be marketed or sold to underage children, and there must be a strong and visible deterrent for those who deliberately or repeatedly break the law. Including tough penalties and the potential loss of their operating licence.”
Background on Vape Regulation
In June last year, the UK Government banned single-use vapes thanks to the Daily Record. Our “Bin The Vapes” campaign successfully exposed the environmental blight of the devices, prompting the legislation to outlaw the polluting plastic vapes across Scotland and the UK. We also highlighted how an alarming eight vapes were thrown away every second.
