Retailers across Essex sentenced for selling vapes to children

Retailers across Essex sentenced for selling vapes to children

Three retailers have been found guilty of selling nicotine inhaling products to someone under the age of 18 following multiple Essex Trading Standards investigations.

Cihan Medet Topal, director of The Red Shop Harlow Ltd in Town Centre Market, was fined £461 and must pay a victim surcharge of £184 and £5,000 in costs. The company was fined £769 with a victim surcharge of £308 and £4,696.80 in costs.

Mallikarjuna Reddy Devi Reddy, director of Arjun Traders Limited on Colchester High Street, was fined £323. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £129 and £4,000 in costs. The company was fined £538 with a victim surcharge of £215 and £4051.90 in costs.

Aznibaan Limited on Braintree High Street was fined £133 and must pay a victim surcharge of £53 and £11,200 in costs.

Essex Trading Standards began their investigations following complaints by members of the public about age-restricted products being sold to children.

Each retailer received advisory visits in early 2025 before Essex Trading Standards carried out underage test purchasing operations in April 2025.

Each operation saw a nicotine-inhaling product being sold to a 14-year-old volunteer without ID checks being carried out.

Mr Topal sold a Hayati Pro Max Juicy Peach 4000 Plus vape with 20mg/10ml nicotine. This was also an oversized vape which is illegal to sell in the UK.

Mr Devi Reddy sold a Vuse Go Blackcurrant Ice disposable vape with 2% nicotine, while Aznibaan Limited sold a Big Bar Lemon & Lime Vape with 2% nicotine.

Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Essex County Council, said: “Vaping is worryingly accessible and appealing to young people. Although for adults it can be a way to stop smoking, it is highly addictive, introduces chemicals into the lungs and not at all suitable for children.

“Sellers of age-restricted goods, including vapes, must ensure they are vigilant and always ask to see proof of age before making a sale to a young person.

“They must have robust processes in place, including staff training, to guard against any illegal underage sales.

“These prosecutions show how seriously we take this issue. Businesses which break the law in Essex will be targeted by Trading Standards.”