Vape Store Fined
A vape store in Berkshire has been fined for providing vape eliquids to an underage purchaser
-
by Dave Cross
Share on:
Vapourwise has shops in Andover, Thatcham and Tilehurst, but it was the Thatcham branch that failed to comply with UK legislation when Trading Standards conducted a sting operation with a 15yr-old.
The company had previously been issued with a warning after someone under the age of 18 bought vape juice from them in 2018. The owners of Vapourwise were informed that Trading Standards would revisit at some point in the future and carry out a test purchase.
According to the court report, the 15yr-old girl was asked for ID but told staff she hadn’t got any on her and she was 18. After the shop assistant consulted with someone higher up, the purchase was allowed.
The owners of Vapourwise were found guilty at Reading Magistrates' Court, fined £800, ordered to pay £2,041.88 in court costs, and landed an £80 victim surcharge.
Berkshire’s Public Protection Partnership manager commented: “It is very important that retailers of age restricted products have robust proof of age policies in place and ensure they are adhered to. This includes asking for age verification identification in line with the retailer’s policy and refusing to sell where this cannot be provided.”
UK Vaping Industry Association spokesperson John Dunne said: “When will people learn? Hopefully this will wake some people up. Don’t sell vapes to minors, people, it’s not rocket science.”
Vapourwise started three years ago when the owner formed a company with friends because he had become “fed up with the poor quality tanks, devices and liquids”. The chain claims to have “friendly and knowledgeable staff”, growing the business “from a passion for wanting the best equipment and best juices.” They say: “We have by default become experts.”
Hopefully Vapourwise will learn from this experience and continue to blossom – vaping doesn’t need the bad publicity that results from selling products to underage buyers.
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous vape companies to develop content for their websites.
Join the discussion
Parliament Fears Two
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs faced questions from a Conservative MP and, oddly, a member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
-
by Dave Cross
Harm Reduction For The Rich
The United Kingdom risks becoming a harm reduction country only for the wealthy, according to Michael Landl of the World Vapers’ Alliance
-
by Dave Cross
Sacrificing Health For 2p Cut
Tory Government alienates vaping voters with its mission to cut tax by an unaffordable 2p to attract voters by placing a tax on vape products in the forthcoming budget
-
by Dave Cross
Scotland Announces Single-Use Vape Action
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland is due to come into effect on 1 April 2025, under proposed legislation published today
-
by Dave Cross
