One is five retailers in Caerphilly fail test purchases

Underage vape sales are a “major problem” in Caerphilly County Borough and across the UK, a council officer has said.

Two underage test purchase operations took place last year, in relation to both alcohol and e-cigarettes.

Out of 25 attempted purchases, five resulted in a sale to an underage volunteer. Those selling vapes to underage shoppers could receive a fine of up to £2,500.

At an environment and sustainability committee meeting on Tuesday June 13, members were presented an update, in line with its Public Protection Enforcement Policy.

Labour councillor Shane Williams questioned why only two operations took place, despite the council receiving a high number of complaints about the issue of vapes.

During 2022/2023, the council received 55 complaints – five in relation to alcohol, one relating to tobacco, and 39 relating to vaping products.

Jacqui Morgan, trading standards, licensing and registrars manager at the council, said new volunteers had to be trained following the pandemic, which meant operations only recommenced in December last year.

She added that 16 operations had taken place since April.

Ms Morgan said: “It’s a major concern, and in England they have given additional resources to do more test purchases, there hasn’t been any funding in Wales.”

The sale of illegal tobacco is also an issue, over the past year 9,800 illegal cigarettes were seized and two premises in Caerphilly are currently being investigated.

Food safety

The report also revealed the number of written warnings or advice given to premises in relation to food health safety had increased considerably over the past year.

In 2021/22, 175 warnings were handed out, this increased to 856 in 2022/23.

The number of revisits also increased from 61 to 77 over the past year.