Moray shops fail e-cigarette age test

ALMOST two-thirds of shops tested by Moray Council Trading Standards failed to ID young adults buying e-cigarettes.

Out of the 17 shops tested, only six asked for proof of age when selling e-cigs to a young buyer, despite all shops previously receiving advice from Trading Standards. Tobacco retailers had better results with 43 out of 48 passing the age check test.

Further advice was given to the retailers who failed the tests, followed by formal test purchases. During these test purchases, two businesses selling vaping products and one selling cigarettes failed, resulting in the sellers being issued £200 fixed penalty notices.

New laws ban the sale of e-cigarettes, e-liquids and other vaping products to under 18s with sellers required to ask for proof of age from anyone appearing to be under 25.

Peter Adamson, Moray Council’s Trading Standards Manager, said the high number of businesses selling nicotine vapour products to young buyers without challenging their age was concerning.

“It may be that some of these retailers are not experienced in managing age restricted sales, however all retailers have been advised on their obligations and Trading Standards expects businesses selling vaping products to meet their responsibilities.”

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.