Brighton shop closed down for selling vapes to children
Trading Standards and police officers also seized illegal vapes and illicit tobacco from the store in Lewes Road
A shop in Brighton has been ordered to close after Trading Standards Officers discovered it had been selling illegal vapes and cigarettes and supplying vapes to children.
Nila Vape on Lewes Road, was issued with a month long closure order following an investigation by Trading Standards.
Brighton Magistrates Court heard that large numbers of children had been visiting the area to purchase vapes, resulting in increased anti-social and nuisance behaviour in the area, as well as the criminal offences of selling illegal vapes and illicit tobacco. Many of the incidents were causing distress to local residents and having a negative impact on surrounding businesses.
Inspections had been carried out by Brighton & Hove Trading Standards and officers from Sussex Police and illegal vapes and illicit tobacco were seized from the shop on two separate occasions.
The vapes were found to not be compliant with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the tobacco products were counterfeit.
Following the closure of the premises, Trading Standards and Sussex Police carried out visits to all convenience stores in the Lewes Road area to remind them of their legal obligations in relation to the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes and other age-related restricted products.
Products were seized from 2 of the retailers, who were found to be selling illegal vapes.
Nila Vape was issued with a closure order on 20 March 2024, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said: “I would like to repeat the warning that all retailers need to ensure all disposable e-cigarettes, e-liquids and vaping devices they sell meet UK legal requirements and remind them about the age restriction on the sale of vapes.
“Local business owners have been briefed on the legal requirements around selling of vapes.
“Many people may not realise the potential long-term health damage caused by unregulated vaping devices. We expect retailers to know better than risk their livelihoods and the wellbeing of our residents.
“We will be continuing our crackdown the selling of illicit vapes and tobacco products and the selling of these to vulnerable young people.
“Anyone selling vapes to someone under 18 is committing an offence. The owner of the business can be held responsible as well as the member of staff who made the sale.”