Concerns raised over Felixstowe’s Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes

Concerns are being raised over a new shop, set to open in Felixstowe, that will sell sweets alongside vapes.

According to local reports, Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes is set to open in the former premises of menswear clothing store Burtons in Hamilton Road in Felixstowe. Concerns have been raised about the sale of sweets alongside vapes and the brightly coloured frontage of similar stores which it is feared may encourage children.

Objecting to the plans, Felixstowe mayor David Rowe has spoken of his concerns, saying he feared the shop could be targeting children.

He said, “My view is that there is a problem nationally – and I am sure in Felixstowe – with young people using vapes, which is not a healthy situation to be in and therefore my view is that there should be no indication that it is acceptable for children to smoke vapes.

“If any shop appears to be marketing towards children, then my personal view is that it would not be welcome here in Felixstowe. I don’t know if it is marketing towards children, but the name certainly indicates that it could be.”

There is no indication stores have sold vapes to minors or been involved in any wrong doing.

Sasha Watson, community engagement officer with consumer watchdog Suffolk Trading Standards, said she was aware of Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes, which has shops in other Suffolk towns, including Ipswich and Sudbury.

She said the body looks into any complaints it receives and could carry out a “test purchase” if the shop was believed to be selling vapes to under-18s, which is a criminal offence, by sending in a child aged under 18 to try and buy the product.