People and communities
Walsall shop owner in court for underage vape sale
Published on
A shop owner has pleaded guilty and ordered to pay over £1,000 for selling a vape containing nicotine to a person under the age of 18.
Carl Neville aged 58 from Wednesbury, Walsall, appeared at Dudley Magistrates Court on 15 January 2025, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The incident occurred during a Trading Standards test purchase in April 2024, when a 16-year-old volunteer was able to buy a vape at the Lifestyle Express Store on Harden Road, Bloxwich. The store was targeted by the council’s Trading Standards team after a complaint was received that vapes were being sold to children.
The volunteer was sold a vape without being asked his age or for ID. An officer in the store witnessed the sale and shortly after returned to the store and identified the owner of the store, Carl Neville as the seller.
In court, Neville stated he made a mistake and the shop at the time was busy.
Neville was given a £230.00 fine and ordered to pay £800.00 costs and £92.00 victim surcharge, totalling £1,122.
“ We take the sale of age-restricted products very seriously in Walsall. This case highlights the importance of our Trading Standards team in protecting young people from the dangers of nicotine. I commend the officers involved for bringing this case to court and for their ongoing commitment to tackle under-age vape sales.
Businesses must understand their responsibilities in undertaking the necessary duties to carry out ID checks and the consequences if they do not comply. We will continue to take appropriate legal action against those who break the law to protect our communities. “
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- It is an offence under Regulation 3 of The Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015 and Section 92(2) of the Children and Families Act 2014 to sell a nicotine containing vape to a person under the age of eighteen. The offence carries a penalty of a fine of up to £2,500.
- Anyone who suspects a Walsall trader is selling age restricted goods to minors can contact the Trading Standards team. For more information on under age sales, visit the Walsall Council website.
