A retailer has been fined after selling a vape to a child.
Mobileneeds Ltd, which trades as Blacks Newsagents, must pay £2,000 after Hertfordshire Trading Standards caught it selling the vape in a test purchase.
The company, based at 120 High Street in Rickmansworth, admitted the offence at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on September 17.
A member of staff sold the vape in February, despite previous Trading Standards advice that selling nicotine and tobacco products to under-18s is illegal.
Sole director Harmit Singh accepted responsibility for the sale, expressed remorse, and said the business had since improved its procedures.
Councillor Ajanta Hilton, who is responsible for public health on Hertfordshire County Council, said: “This prosecution, together with previous ones, sends a clear message that we will act against businesses that sell age restricted products to children.
“It’s important that we protect our young residents from accessing products that can lead to addiction, health risks and antisocial behaviour.
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“If any businesses are unclear about the regulations and their responsibilities, our trading standards team can provide advice and support to help them operate in a safe and legal way.”
The council said officers found the company had not taken reasonable precautions or done enough to prevent the offence.
Shortcomings included staff failing to use the refusals log properly despite warnings from officers.
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