Use assured advice on underage sales, stores told

Vape retailers are being urged to sign up to the assured advice provided by one regional Trading Standards department to save their business from uncertain and inconsistent advice from other local authorities.

Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards is offering the advice which, when followed, provides protection for retailers by making guidelines on responsible vape retailing clearer. In conjunction with the UKVIA, the team has created the Preventing Underage Sales Guide,

The guide covers current vaping age legislation in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, use and best practice enforcement of the Challenge 25 rule and dealing with the issue of proxy purchasing (where an adult buys on behalf of someone under 18). It also advises on different forms of ID that can be accepted and methods of deception to be aware of; as well as points to consider with digital age verification.

Speaking at last week’s VOXPO event, an online conference and exhibition for the vape industry, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards’ senior trading standards officer Jo Mahoney told delegates: “If you follow the guidance it will protect you from enforcement by other authorities. If there are any problems that occur, the Local Authority must liaise with us before taking any action”.

You can watch the full discussion here.