Trading Standards Wales (TSW) warns that children accessing age restricted goods can lead to involvement with more serious issues; it is no longer simply about accessing a cigarette and the health implications that follow.

Across Wales this year, Trading Standards authorities came together to gather intelligence on the availability of vapes and vaping products to underage persons. 

Of 113 attempted purchases, 15% resulted in a sale; the majority of sales were from local convenience stores, with vape shops, supermarkets, tattooists, a service station and a toy shop also selling.

Worryingly, in two instances the underage volunteer was asked their age, answered honestly, and was still supplied with the product.

Further breaches were identified as part of the same operation. This included products exceeding the limit of nicotine permitted, incorrect or absent labelling, lack of instructions for use and an absence of importer details.

Proactive work in individual authorities during 2022 has seen a 74% failure rate in vaping products examined for compliance, over 1,600 items removed from sale and substantial advice being provided to the trade.

The prevalence of vapes does not mean the problems with cigarettes have abated.

The NO IFS. NO BUTTS. – Report Illegal Tobacco (noifs-nobutts.co.uk) campaign reports that over 2.8million illegal cigarettes and over 400kg of hand rolling tobacco seized by Trading Standards within Wales since January 2021.

This work sees Trading Standards engaging with the Police and other partners as direct links with Organised Crime Groups, modern day slavery, safeguarding and child sexual exploitation, county lines and anti-social behaviour become apparent.

For further information, please go to: https://tradingstandards.gov.wales/en/home/

The podcast for Day 1 can be heard at: https://tradingstandards.gov.wales/en/tswweek/