Shops flout ban to sell e-cigarettes to kids despite it being made illegal TEN months ago, shock investigation reveals
Almost 40 per cent of retailers tests ignore the law and sell nicotine products like vaping liquids to under-18s
SHOPS are selling e-cigarettes and vaping liquids to kids despite it being made illegal ten months ago.
Almost 40 per cent of retailers were caught flogging them to under-18s, an undercover investigation has discovered.
The shock results show laws to clamp down on e-cigarette use among children are failing badly.
Medics claim flavoured liquids — including bubble gum, cupcake, and banana — attract kids.
They fear the nicotine content risks turning them into addicts.
It may also lure non-smokers to move on to more harmful tobacco, the Department of Health report warns.
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Trading Standards asked children to make 634 test purchases in a range of outlets over a three-month period.
In 246 cases — 39 per cent — retailers flouted the law. The offence carries a maximum fine of £2,500.
Around one in five kids in England aged 11 to 15 have smoked an e-cig, some even as young as ten, figures show.
Trading Standards chief Leon Livermore said: “Children’s awareness of, and experimentation with, electronic cigarettes is increasing.”