A business selling a vape to a 13-year-old has been successfully prosecuted and fined following interventions by Bedford Borough Council’s Trading Standards team.
In April 2024, an intelligence led test purchase operation resulted in a 13-year-old test purchaser being sold a single-use vape at Bedford Fruit and Vegetables Ltd, located at 109 Midland Road in Bedford.
On Tuesday 26 November, Bedford Fruit and Vegetables Ltd was fined by Luton Magistrates Court and ordered to pay a total of £3,621, encompassing fines and costs.
The Director, Mr. Farogh Sadeghi, did not attend the hearing having previously entered a guilty plea by post.
This follows previous interventions with the business in relation to the sale of tobacco related products, including advice and guidance relating to underage sales.
It marks the third such case brought forward by Bedford Borough Council’s Trading Standards department in 2024.
Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, commented on the ongoing work of Bedford Borough Council in regards to the sale of age-related products to underage individuals:
“We take the protection of our young residents very seriously, the health risks associated to underage vaping are well documented.
“The prosecution of these traders demonstrates our resolve to uphold the law and ensure that businesses operate responsibly, especially when it comes to age-restricted products.”
Bedford Borough Council has urged all retailers to prioritise staff training and implement robust procedures to prevent the sale of age-restricted products, such as vapes, to minors.
Residents who have concerns about businesses selling age-restricted products to minors can report them to Bedford Borough Council’s Trading Standards team by emailing ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk.
You can learn more about underage sales in Bedford Borough at www.bedford.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/underage-sales, while further advice for consumers and businesses in Bedford Borough can be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/business/trading-standards.
