A new survey conducted by the UK’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has showed that four out of ten retailers in the country has illegally sold e-cigarettes and vaping liquids to young people under the age of 18.
Although a ban has been imposed last year, the study found that around 40% of retailers surveyed sold nicotine products to young people.
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Coming into effect last October, the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale & Proxy Purchasing) Regulations put a ban on the sale of nicotine products to children and young people under the age of 18, except under some medical conditions.
Trading standards teams from local councils visited 634 retailers between January and March, and 246 were found to be selling nicotine products to young people.
CTSI chief executive Leon Livermore was quoted by Localgov.co.uk as saying: “Regular use among children is relatively rare but children’s awareness of, and experimentation with electronic cigarettes, is increasing.
“Trading standards teams play a frontline role in preventing children from obtaining e-cigarettes and nicotine refills, just as they do with traditional tobacco products.
“They provide guidance to help retailers comply with the law, but will not hesitate to take enforcement action where it is appropriate to do so.”
The survey has been supported by the UK Department of Health and coordinated by the CTSI.
