Businesses have been warned that selling vapes to children “should not be happening in our communities” after a court ordered one shop owner to pay thousands of pounds.

On Thursday, Daud Hussain appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court to answer charges relating to the sale of a disposable electronic cigarette to a 13-year-old child from his business, Wibsey Go Local on Beacon Road.

Hussain, 22, of Far Hills, pleaded guilty to committing offences under the Nicotine Inhaling Products Regulations 2015 and was fined £120 for a guilty plea.

He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £48 and pay costs of £2,114.

The case was launched after West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service received multiple complaints about the premises alleging sales of vapes to children.

In April 2023, a-13-year-old volunteer entered the shop, under the supervision of a Trading Standards Officer, and asked to buy a vape.

The volunteer was sold an Elf Bar 600 (Disposable Pod) Grape Flavour electronic cigarette to the volunteer for £5, without being asked for any identification, or challenged about her age.

It is an offence to sell an electronic cigarette containing nicotine to a person under the age of 18.

Hussain, the owner of the business, was interviewed later. In his mitigation, he stated that he had not slept well and was new to running the business.

After the case, David Strover, Trading Standards Manager - Business Services Team, said: “The sale of vapes to children should not be happening within our communities.

“We wrote to this business to make them aware of complaints we had received and informed them a test purchase may follow.

“The health risks associated with juvenile use of vapes should not be underestimated.

“Vapes are an adult product suitable for ex-smokers – the sale of vapes to children is unacceptable.

“Retailers need to ensure they have systems in place to avoid selling vapes to minors and train their staff accordingly. I would like to thank all the partners and members of the public for reporting illegal sales and encourage everyone to continue doing so to reduce the harm caused by tobacco and vapes in our communities.”

Consumers wishing to report illegal trading practices, including the sale of age restricted goods to children can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 to report their concerns - this can be done anonymously.