Corner shops targeted in child vaping crackdown

CORNER shops could face harsher fines for selling e-cigarettes to children under a Government crackdown on illegal vaping.

Ministers are concerned about the use of multicoloured, sweet-flavoured disposable vapes by minors. They believe cowboy retailers are deliberately targeting the young with childfriendly advertising.

The Department of Health is planning a review, to be announced as soon as this week, which will examine how to prevent children becoming hooked on nicotine by using vapes with flavours including bubblegum and watermelon.

Sales to minors are illegal but retailers are not required to hold a licence to sell e-cigarettes.

Trading Standards has the power to impose fines of £2,500 on shops caught breaking the rules, but industry sources said they were rarely enforced.

Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary, is said to be supportive of vaping as a way to stop smoking but is concerned about children becoming addicted.

A survey by ASH, an anti-smoking charity, found last year that almost half of under-18s who use e-cigarettes buy them from shops.

Ministers have previously ruled out a tax on all vaping products, which was backed by the charity, but may introduce new restrictions on retail promotions like buy-one-get-one-free.

They could also introduce a licensing scheme to remove e-cigarettes from sale in shops that flout the rules and ban child-friendly advertising in shops.

The Vaping Industry Association, which represents manufacturers and retailers, has called for maximum fines of £10,000 for shops that sell to minors – double the amount levied on those caught selling alcohol to under-18s.

It was previously reported that ministers were considering banning all candy-flavoured vapes amid concern they are largely used by young people.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “While vaping is a preferable alternative to smoking for adults, we are concerned about the rise in youth vaping, particularly the increasing use of disposable vaping products. We are exploring measures to address this – including clamping down on children accessing vapes illegally, and those who are getting them hooked on nicotine.”