On Wednesday, , Hot N High Ltd, doing business as Sheppards, made an appearance at Colchester Magistrates’ Court. It entered a not guilty plea for marketing items with nicotine for inhalation to people younger than eighteen.
Hot N High Ltd was found guilty of the crime and fined £2,000 after a trial. It must also pay £12,000 in expenses and an additional £800 victim surcharge.
Essex Trading Standards conducted a test purchase operation in Colchester in 2023 with minors. This happened in response to several grievances regarding the sale of age-restricted goods to minors.
Sheppards gave a 13-year-old volunteer a vape pen that contained nicotine during the operation.
Trading Standards advised the company about sales to minors in 2021 and 2023. During this time, test purchasing operations had also been conducted on it.
“Sellers of age-restricted goods, including vapes, must ensure they are vigilant and always ask to see proof of age before making a sale to a young person,” an Essex Trading Standards spokeswoman stated.
“They need to protect against any unlawful underage sales by putting strong procedures in place, such as staff training.
This prosecution demonstrates our seriousness about the matter. Trading Standards will target businesses that violate the law in Essex.
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