Shopkeeper prosecuted for selling illegal vapes

A SOUTH Wales shopkeeper has been prosecuted after trading standards officers caught him selling illegal vapes.

Kalpesh Patel was selling the vapes at least four times over the legal limit in his Lifestyle Express store at Corporation Road in Maindee, Newport.

Patel, 53, appeared at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court on November 17 where he pleaded guilty to one offence of having disposable vapes available for supply that breached regulations. He admitted a further three offences of failing to include an information leaflet with the products.

The vapes in Patel’s store had between 2,500 and 3,500 puffs of nicotinecontaining liquid in each tank. The legal limit is around 600 puffs or two millilitres.

Magistrates told Patel he would be fined £1,332 and would have to pay £1,046 in costs, plus a victim surcharge.

Councillor James Clarke, Newport City Council cabinet member for strategic planning, regulation and housing, said the defendant’s actions posed a serious risk to the public.

“These vapes posed a serious risk to health and I’m pleased the magistrates recognised the gravity of the offence,” he said. “Our trading standards officers are to be commended for taking action to protect the health of the public. I’d urge anyone with concerns about possible similar occurrences to contact them.”