All retailers visited during a recent Barking and Dagenham Council Trading Standards operation successfully refused to sell tobacco products to underage volunteers, demonstrating the positive impact of the borough's Responsible Retailer Scheme.
On Tuesday 27 October, Trading Standards officers carried out test purchasing exercises at 19 premises across the borough to check compliance with age-restricted tobacco sales laws. Every business visited passed the test, with staff correctly refusing sales to underage purchasers.
The results highlight the effectiveness of the council's ongoing work with local businesses through its Responsible Retailer Scheme, which provides retailers with guidance, training and support to help prevent age-restricted products from falling into the hands of children and young people.
The operation took place just days before a series of new measures under the Tobacco and Vapes Act came into force on Thursday 29 October.
The new laws strengthen existing protections for children and young people by extending the ban on sales to under-18s to include nicotine-free vapes and other nicotine products such as nicotine pouches, strips and pearls. The legislation also makes it an offence for adults to buy or attempt to buy vaping or nicotine products on behalf of anyone under the age of 18.
Additional measures include a ban on promotional giveaways and significant promotional discounts, restrictions on vape vending machine sales, and new enforcement powers for Trading Standards, including the ability to issue £200 fixed penalty notices.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, said: "It's encouraging to see that every retailer visited during this operation complied with the law and refused the attempted sale. These results demonstrate that local businesses understand their responsibilities and are taking the necessary steps to prevent nicotine products from being sold to underage customers."
"The new Tobacco and Vapes Act gives Trading Standards stronger powers to tackle illegal sales and hold non-compliant businesses to account. We will continue working closely with responsible retailers while taking robust action against those who fail to meet their legal obligations."
Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, said: "Protecting children and young people from nicotine addiction is vital for their long-term health and wellbeing."
"The strong compliance shown by local retailers is welcome, and the Tobacco and Vapes Act is an important step in reducing young people's access to nicotine products. By preventing early uptake, we can help reduce the risk of long-term addiction and support better health outcomes for future generations."
Trading Standards services across England are being supported by additional Government funding to strengthen enforcement activity and ensure businesses comply with the new requirements.
Further test purchasing operations are planned for vapes, alcohol and knives.
Residents can report concerns about the sale of age-restricted products to young people by emailing tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.