In a concerted effort to curb the unlawful sale of e-cigarettes to minors, Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards Officers have recently prosecuted three Lancashire businesses for flouting regulations and endangering young consumers.
The crackdown commenced with Zaishan Jahanghir, proprietor of Mr Zees takeaway on Chapel Street, Chorley, pleading guilty to four offenses at Lancaster Magistrates court in December. Jahanghir was captured on video enticing a 13-year-old volunteer test purchaser to spread word among peers that they were the ‘cheapest in town’ for vapes. Shockingly, officers discovered illicit vape stocks concealed within takeaway pizza boxes during a routine inspection. Additionally, the business faced charges for advertising e-cigarettes on Facebook.
Jahanghir faced the repercussions of his actions, receiving an eight-month suspended imprisonment, 150 hours of unpaid work, rehabilitation activity, and hefty fines. His sentence also included a prohibition from possessing three or more e-cigarettes simultaneously.
In a separate case, Arif Patel, company director at Euro News Ltd, trading as EN News on Orchard Street in Preston, was fined for selling an e-cigarette to a 14-year-old girl dressed in school uniform. Magistrates imposed fines on Patel and the business, Euro News Ltd, totaling £513 plus additional surcharges and costs.
The legal saga continued at Preston Crown Court, where Mohammed Hamad faced sentencing for his involvement in the illicit sale of tobacco and vapes, including the sale of a vape to a 14-year-old, at Bacup Mini Market on Union Street last year. Hamad received a community order, community service, and substantial financial penalties.
Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, underscored the severity of these offenses and the council’s unwavering commitment to enforcing legal compliance. He remarked, “Our Trading Standards officers are kept busy investigating complaints about illicit sales to young people. These cases show that continued criminality will eventually catch up with offenders.”
Green further emphasized, “Not only was Mr Zees takeaway shut down for six months by the district council last year using anti-social behavior legislation, this shop was causing problems selling vapes to young people alongside pizzas. This is completely unacceptable and had to be dealt with seriously.”
The council urges individuals with concerns regarding the sale of age-restricted products to report such incidents to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0808 223 1133.
As Lancashire remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding youth and upholding legal standards, these prosecutions serve as a stark reminder of the consequences awaiting those who flout regulations in pursuit of profit.