A Trading Standards team, with the help of Wiltshire Police and the force’s Police Cadets volunteers, recently carried out test purchases to check retailers were following the law when selling e-cigarette products to those under the legal age of 18.
Six of the eight shops visited were caught selling e-cigarettes to the underage cadet volunteers. The legal age to buy these in the UK is 18.
Four out of the six products were also not registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency – all e-cigarette products in England should be registered in this way.
Swindon Borough Council’s Trading Standards team is currently investigating the stores with a view to taking enforcement action.
Any information leading to the sale and supply of e-cigarettes or tobacco to underage children can be reported anonymously, to Trading Standards.
If you have any concerns or would like further advice you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
