Underage Vaping: Are Corner Shops The Culprit?

Underage Vaping: Are Corner Shops The Culprit?

Underage vaping has become a growing concern in recent years, with authorities and parents alike worried about the accessibility of vaping products to young individuals. While vaping companies face tighter regulations on advertising through social media, there is a debate over the role of corner shops in enabling underage vaping.

Dan Fisher, who manages Totally Wicked on Northgate Street in Gloucester, has shed light on the extent of illegal sales of vaping products on the city’s streets. According to Fisher, his store, along with other legitimate vape shops, often reports corner shops in Gloucester for selling vapes to underage customers. This easy availability of unregulated vapes is believed to contribute to the growing problem of underage vaping.

Fisher argues that the law needs to be tightened to protect legitimate businesses that comply with age verification and the sale of vapes that meet all legal requirements. He also expresses his frustration with local trading standards, stating that the authorities are not doing enough to address the issue of unregulated vapes being sold in corner shops.

While Fisher and his colleagues have not identified illegal vapes with higher nicotine content than allowed by the regulations, they have noticed container sizes that exceed the legal limit of 2ml. Children are often seen using vapes with a 10ml capacity, which raises concerns about the potential risks associated with higher nicotine intake.

In response to this problem, Trading Standards officers conducted visits to 29 shops across Gloucestershire in August 2022. Volunteers aged 15 and 16 successfully purchased vapes from six of these shops, highlighting the lack of enforcement and regulation in the area. Trading Standards intends to educate shop owners about their responsibilities regarding age-related products, but repeat visits and formal action, including fines of up to £2,500, may be imposed on non-compliant stores.

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has also taken action by banning ads for vaping products that do not comply with advertising standards. CAP is particularly concerned about social media platforms like TikTok, where vaping ads targeting or appealing to under-18s are being displayed. The organization is working closely with platforms, regulators, and enforcement bodies to ensure that young people are not exposed to these inappropriate advertisements.

In the United Kingdom, vapes are regulated as consumer products that can only be legally sold to individuals above the age of 18. The government encourages adult smokers to switch to vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking. Current regulations restrict e-liquids to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml and require child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging for nicotine-containing products.

In conclusion, the issue of underage vaping is a complex problem involving various stakeholders. While vaping companies are facing tighter advertising regulations, corner shops have come under scrutiny for their role in enabling underage access to vaping products. It is crucial for trading standards and law enforcement agencies to address this issue by actively monitoring and enforcing compliance within the vaping industry. Only by working together can we ensure the protection of young people and prevent the potential health risks associated with underage vaping.