Vape shop slapped with £200 fine after selling to 14-year-old

By Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter

An East London shop owner has been slapped with a £200 fine and ordered to pay an extra £1301.83 in court costs after they sold an e- cigarette to a child.

Mohammed Ferdhaus of Cloudz Vapes in Roman Road, pleaded guilty to one count of selling an e-cigarette to a person under the age of 18.

During an underage sales test purchasing exercise carried out by Tower Hamlets Council’s trading standards and the Met Police on October 3, 2022, a 14-year-old bought a strawberry ice disposable vape from the shop without being asked for any identification.

According to the council’s trading standards team and the Met Police, the vape cost £5 and the packaging was marked with a warning that it contains nicotine and was for over 18s only.

Mr Ferdhaus appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on behalf of Cloudz Vapes Ltd on May 16, where the company was fined £200 by the court with a £100 victim surcharge and ordered to pay an extra £1301.83 in court costs.

Cllr Kabir Hussain, cabinet member for the environment and the climate emergency, said: “Vaping is not harmless as it still contains nicotine, which is addictive and can have some negative effects on brain development in children and young people.

“This is why it is so important that young people are prevented from buying e-vapes and e-cigarettes.

“We will continue to carry out these test purchases to ensure our young people are kept safe from those who put their own profits above others’ health.”

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)