Councils urged to enforce ‘zero tolerance’ on illegal vape sales to children

Councils in Northern Ireland need to enforce a “zero tolerance” policy on vape sales to under-age children amid claims that parents “don’t know where to turn”.

That is according to a Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) councillor, who highlighted concerns that children as young as 13 have been able to buy vapes in local shops.

The council chamber was urged this week to promote a new campaign clarifying that local councils — and not the PSNI — are the primary authority for reporting illegal vape sales to minors.

Castlereagh South Sinn Féin councillor Ryan Carlin said:

“I was recently contacted by a concerned parent who discovered their 13-year-old son had been able to purchase vaping products from a local retailer in Lisburn and Castlereagh over a period of months.

“Given the child’s incredibly young age, the family rightly felt this was a very serious issue requiring urgent attention and enforcement.

“The parents only became aware after seeing their bank statements, which identified the sales of vapes.

“What followed was a frustrating experience of the family being passed between the PSNI and Trading Standards, and then ultimately the council through myself, trying to find out who had responsibility to act.”

A UK-wide ban on disposable vapes came into force in June; however, refillable vape products are still permitted.

Recent research by the Public Health Agency (PHA) found that 46% of Year 14 pupils (aged 17–18), from a survey of 7,500 students, currently vape—despite it being illegal to sell or supply vaping products to under-18s.

Cllr Carlin added:

“I’m pleased to say that our Environmental Health team quickly confirmed this sits within the council’s remit and acted promptly in following up the case.

“However, this did raise wider concerns. Too many young people are accessing vapes, and parents often don’t know where to turn.

“I would ask the council to give this issue some focus and look at whether it is more widespread.

“I also believe there is potential to improve how we communicate with parents and young people that these incidents should be reported directly to the council.

“And finally, where retailers are found to be knowingly and wilfully selling vapes to under-age children, particularly children as young as 13, this council should take a clear zero-tolerance approach to enforcement.

“The sale of vapes to under-age children should be treated with the same seriousness as the sale of alcohol or tobacco.”

LCCC chief executive David Burns responded:

“We do spot checks, but I’ll have the team check that wee bit further and we will bring a report back for consideration.”