Vape sale to under-aged youth lands Greenwich supermarket a £3,000 bill
Greenwich council has successfully taken a supermarket to court after a secret shopper, aged just 16, was sold a vape.
In February, the teenage volunteer bought a vape for £5.99 from SKP Greenwich Supermarket Ltd, in Woolwich Road.
The underage customer was not asked for identification and was able to make the purchase without question.
On September 25, SKP Greenwich Supermarket Ltd, pleaded guilty at Bexley Magistrates Court to breaking the law by selling a minor a lemonade-flavoured vape.
SKP Greenwich Supermarket pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £332, told to pay a £133 surcharge and £2,800 in court costs.
Muhammad Nawaz, 46, was the member of staff at the shop who sold the vape and was fined a total of £229 – which included a fine of £88, a £35 surcharge and £106 in costs.
A council spokesman said: “We are committed to ensuring children can live their best and healthiest lives. Cracking down on the illegal sale of disposable vapes to our young people is a step in the right direction.
“Nicotine is a dangerous and highly addictive substance for anyone, let alone minors who these colourful and fruit flavoured vapes are marketed towards.
“We will take the necessary steps to protect the health of our young people and we hope anyone trading in our borough is with us in that mission.”
If you wish to report the illegal sales of vapes, please contact tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or report anonymously.
You can get support with quitting smoking at livewellgreenwich.org.uk/livingwell/stop-smoking/.
Pictured top: The SKP Greenwich Supermarket (Picture: Google Street View)