A group of nine teenagers, aged 14 to 17, tested London-based shopkeepers to see if they would illegally sell age-restricted items to them.
With supervision from Ealing Council’s Trading Standards and licensing enforcement teams, the young volunteers visited a series of stores in the borough to attempt to buy vapes or alcohol.
Of the 38 shops visited, five stores failed the test. The undercover teenagers “that clearly looked underage” were able to buy vapes or alcohol “without being challenged or asked for their proof of age”, said Ealing Council.
Illegal vapes and tobacco were also found and seized in two of the shops.
Licensed premises that made sales had their licences reviewed due to the seriousness of the offence and one shop had its licence revoked.
Ealing Council said investigations are ongoing and trading standards will work with the businesses to ensure they are fully aware of the law and their legal obligations.
Business owners as well as the shop staff could face court action and a fine of up to £2,500 for selling vapes to a person under 18, added the council.
It plans to carry out more test purchases following the “effectiveness of the operations”.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, joined one of the test purchasing operations on 22 June. She said: “The overwhelming majority of businesses in the borough are law-abiding and play a hugely important role in our community.
“Although it was disappointing that there were underage sales at 5 locations, it’s reassuring that 33 of the 38 shops are doing the right thing, and that our trading standards team is cracking down on this issue. This proactive operation has worked very well. I’m pleased to hear that more activities like this are being planned.”
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