Home Local News E-cigarette warning to businesses in Wigan Borough

E-cigarette warning to businesses in Wigan Borough

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Wigan Trading Standards is reminding local businesses of the law around the sale of e-cigarettes.

Following a change in legislation in October 2015 it is now illegal to sell e-cigarettes to individuals under 18 years old.

Undercover operations by the trading standards team, with the help of a young volunteer, proved some businesses in the borough are still selling these products to people under aged 18.

The new law applies to nicotine inhaling products, which includes e-cigarettes, refill cartridges and e-liquids, although certain medical products will be exempt.

Businesses caught flouting the law could be fined up to £2,500.

The new law also makes it an offence for an adult to buy or attempt to buy tobacco, cigarette papers or e-cigarettes on behalf of a person under 18 years of age. This is known as proxy purchasing and offenders could fined or receive an on the spot penalty of £90.

Councillor Kevin Anderson, stated “These test purchasing results have been very disappointing, particularly as Wigan Trading Standards Officers have already done a lot of work with businesses who sell e-cigarettes by providing advice on how to avoid underage sales, as well as posters to display in their shops.  Robust enforcement action will be taken by Trading Standards against those business who continue selling e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 18.”

Terry Gregson, trading standards manager, said: “We would encourage all retailers of e-cigarettes is to be vigilant and responsible when selling e-cigarettes and e-liquid products. Retailers should apply the same checks they would apply to the sale of any other age restricted products, such as alcohol and cigarettes to anyone who looks under 18.

“We strongly advise shopkeepers to make sure they ask for proof of age from anyone who looks under 25. Businesses should regularly use a refusals register when individuals attempt to buy e-cigarettes in order to record the event.

For further details on age restricted products and preventing underage sales you can visit Business Companion website. If you suspect a trader of selling age restricted products to under 18s, report them to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

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