Operation Reclaim: Seven in nine businesses fail underage vape test purchase operation

Seven out of nine businesses tested by Nottingham City Council Trading Standards and Nottinghamshire Police have failed an underage vape test purchase operation. 

The operation targeted retailers suspected of selling nicotine inhaling products, including vapes, to children. Supervised underage volunteers visited nine premises across Nottingham and were able to purchase nicotine inhaling products from seven of them without being challenged for proof of age. 

The results have raised serious concerns about retailers failing to comply with laws designed to prevent children from accessing nicotine products. 

The operation forms part of wider partnership work supporting Nottinghamshire Police’s Operation Reclaim, which aims to tackle criminality, protect communities and make Nottingham a safer and more welcoming place to live, work and visit. 

Under the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015, it is illegal to sell nicotine inhaling products to anyone under the age of 18. Retailers are expected to operate Challenge 25 policies and ensure staff request identification from anyone who appears under the age of 25. 

Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities at Nottingham City Council, said: 

“It is reprehensible that businesses were willing to illegally sell nicotine products to children. The fact that this operation found such a high failure rate is deeply alarming and demonstrates that too many retailers are failing in their legal responsibilities. 

“We will continue to work closely with Nottinghamshire Police to clamp down on those who flout the law, and we will make the outcome of enforcement action public once any court proceedings have concluded.” 

“These products are harmful and highly addictive, particularly for children and young people. Any retailer selling them to under-18s is making a conscious decision to put profit ahead of the wellbeing of Nottingham’s young people. 

“If you sell nicotine products, this is your warning: make sure you are doing so responsibly and in full compliance with the law, or you can expect enforcement action.” 

Chief Inspector Kylie Davies said:

“Any business who fails to act responsibly will be dealt with accordingly. We have already closed four vape shops in and around the city centre as part of Op Reclaim, which is tackling criminality including business crime. This is all part of making Nottingham a safer and more welcoming place to live, work and visit.” 

The businesses that failed the operation are now subject to further investigation and may face formal action, including prosecution and further compliance checks. 

We are reminding all retailers selling nicotine inhaling products to ensure staff training is up to date, Challenge 25 policies are consistently applied, and refusals registers are maintained correctly. 

To read more about Operation Reclaim, visit: Operation Reclaim | Nottinghamshire Police.