A shock new report has revealed the scale of illegal sales of vapes and cigarettes to children in Scotland.
A investigation by Trading Standards officers found more than one in five shops sold vapes and more than one in even sold sold cigarettes to an under age volunteer test purchaser.
Officers using the volunteer made 677 test purchases of vapes and 289 test purchases of tobacco at premises across Scotland Vapes were sold to the under 18 volunteer on 148 occasions, while cigarettes were sold 38 times.
In total 207 on the spot Fixed Penalty fines were issued by Trading Standards officers to shop staff for selling vape and tobacco products to the under age test purchaser.
Chris Bell, Chair of the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland said: “The health of young people is a key priority for Trading Standards and smoking is the greatest threat to their health and development, especially for younger children.
These results are very concerning and we will be stepping up efforts this year to support sellers with advice and continue to take enforcement action where sellers break the law.
"Vapes can be a useful cessation aid for smokers who want to give up smoking, but they are not intended as a lifestyle product for young people.....
