Seven out of nine retailers targeted in an underage vape test purchasing operation in Nottingham have failed checks designed to prevent the sale of nicotine products to children.
The operation, carried out by Nottingham City Council Trading Standards and Nottinghamshire Police, saw supervised underage volunteers attempt to purchase nicotine inhaling products from nine premises suspected of selling vapes to children.
Seven businesses sold nicotine products without requesting proof of age, prompting concerns from enforcement authorities over compliance with age-restricted sales laws.
The operation forms part of wider work linked to Nottinghamshire Police's Operation Reclaim initiative, which aims to tackle criminality and improve community safety across the city.
Under the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015, it is illegal to sell nicotine inhaling products to anyone under 18. Retailers are expected to operate Challenge 25 policies and request identification from anyone who appears younger than 25.
Councillor Matt Shannon, Nottingham City Council's executive member for community protection, neighbourhoods and equalities, described the findings as "deeply alarming".
"It is reprehensible that businesses were willing to illegally sell nicotine products to children," he said.
"The fact that this operation found such a high failure rate is deeply alarming and demonstrates that too many retailers are failing in their legal responsibilities."
Shannon warned that businesses found breaking the law would face enforcement action.
"These products are harmful and highly addictive, particularly for children and young people. Any retailer selling them to under-18s is making a conscious decision to put profit ahead of the wellbeing of Nottingham's young people.
"If you sell nicotine products, this is your warning: make sure you are doing so responsibly and in full compliance with the law, or you can expect enforcement action."
Chief Inspector Kylie Davies said the operation formed part of a broader crackdown on criminal activity linked to businesses in the city.
"Any business who fails to act responsibly will be dealt with accordingly," she said.
"We have already closed four vape shops in and around the city centre as part of Op Reclaim, which is tackling criminality including business crime. This is all part of making Nottingham a safer and more welcoming place to live, work and visit."
The businesses that failed the test purchasing exercise are now subject to further investigation and could face prosecution as well as additional compliance checks.