The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is reminding local retailers to ask for age verification when selling age-restricted products after the prosecution of a shopkeeper who sold a vape to a 15-year-old.
At Taunton Magistrates Court on 13 August Henri Andre Bitton (74) of Gemini Vapes in Eastover pleaded guilty to making the sale in February. A Trading Standards Officer who was inside the shop when the 15-year-old volunteer made a test purchase saw Bitton make the sale without first asking for ID.
Bitton told the court that he didn’t realise the volunteer’s age and he is blind in one eye and has blurred vision in the other.
The Chair of the Bench said it was ‘a concerning case’ and that the protection and welfare of young people was paramount.
Bitton was ordered to pay £1,200 in fines, costs of £1,880 and a victim surcharge of £480, totalling £3,560.
Alex Fry, Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service’s Operations Manager, said: “The bright colours and sweet flavours of vapes are attracting young people and so it is essential that store owners ensure that they do not sell these products to children.
“Where premises fail test purchase operations, we will take a good look at the measures which were in place before deciding what action to take.
“In this case the owner was given ample opportunity to ask for ID and he did not.
“Those who do not follow the regulations are putting their livelihood at risk and we will take court action where necessary.
“The most effective way to safeguard your businesses is to ask for ID. It’s such a simple thing to do.”
Businesses can sign up for a free No Proof of Age – No Sale (NPOANS) toolkit that provides easy-to-use guidance on how to prevent the illegal sale of age-restricted goods and services.
