Thousands of cases of children being illegally sold vapes have been recorded by councils between 2022 and 2024. One way local authorities catch sellers red-handed is by sending undercover teenagers into shops across England. We spoke to some of those who spend their free time trying to catch law breakers in the act. Oliver is 15 and has been test purchasing nicotine vapes for three years. None of his friends know what he does. We are not using his real name. He says while many shops refuse to sell him vapes, he has successfully bought them "countless" times. When he is sold one, he hands it to a trading standards officer waiting outside the shop. "We just go in, ask for it and they just hand it straight over. Don't ask anything," he says. "Sometimes they're more sneaky. Try hand it to you in secret, make sure no-one notices." Oliver says on one occasion, a shop worker told him to wait outside and "walked back out with a brown paper bag, concealing the fact he had given me a vape. It felt really dodgy. "You feel like you're not buying a vape. At that point, it's like you're buying illicit drugs." The Independent British Vape Trade Association says the majority of purposed vape shops operate within the law, serving adults that would otherwise be smoking. Of the 136 trading standards bodies in England, 133 responded toFreedom of Information requests from the BBC. Between 2022 and 2024, they recorded at least: These figures do not account for the number of shops selling vapes in the area or the number of vapes sold. Selling nicotine vapes to under-18s is illegal in the UK. The government saysnicotine vapes carry the risk of harm and addiction, which is "particularly acute for adolescents, whose brains are still developing". Oliver became a test purchaser because vaping is "becoming a bigger and bigger problem as time goes on", he says. Now in Year 11, he thinks about a quarter of his school year is vaping and the toilets often "stink" because of it. "I thought I could help out, see if I could get numbers down a bit, so I do whatever I can to help stop it," he says. Katie (not her real name) also goes undercover as a test purchaser. The 13-year-old says lots of pupils in her year use vapes or sell them to their peers at school, out of sight of the teachers. The trick to test purchasing, she says, is to act with confidence. "You've just got to try and relax – remember that you're not in the wrong and you're just doing it to prove a point and for a purpose." If shop workers agree to sell vapes, she says "we'll grab the product, walk out and go back to the van", where trading standards officers will be waiting. Oliver and Katie enjoy taking part in test purchases. "You know that it's actually making a difference and that over time this difference can actually be seen," Oliver says. Nazir Ali is a service manager with trading standards in the east London borough of Barking and Dagenham. He helps to organise underage test purchases of vapes. "We send in an undercover officer that goes in and acts like a normal customer," he explains, "just to keep an eye on the young test purchaser". If the test purchaser is refused a sale, they should walk out of the shop "without interacting with the officer in the shop", Nazir says. If the sale takes place, the child hands the product to another trading standards officer waiting outside. Trading standards will speak to the seller and, if needs be, interview them on the spot under caution and speak to the company's director. They may then be written to or invited to come to the office for a formal interview process. The seller and company owner could face prosecution. Oliver says he has had many different reactions from shop workers when trying to buy vapes. "They can start shouting about how your parents will be disappointed with you. Some have shouted that they need to report me to the police. "Or they're just talking to someone else on the phone, talking to someone else in the back, and will just glance over to scan the product, take the cash, and continue on with their conversation." In his day-to-day life, Oliver says: "I don't really have conversations with people about vaping. I think it's awful and because the health risks are unknown it's really dangerous." Nazir says in Barking and Dagenham they have seen a drop in the number of vapes reaching young people. "But I'm sure they find other means of buying these vapes, often online, from friends and family abroad," he says. "There are so many ways it's coming and reaching the young people, which we need to obviously do a lot more work around." A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government'sTobacco and Vapes Bill"introduces £200 on the spot fines to allow trading standards officers to act more quickly against anyone found to be selling tobacco or vapes to people underage". They said the government was investing an extra £10m for trading standards "to tackle underage and illicit sales and stop harmful tobacco and vape products" finding their way into shops.
What it's like going undercover as a teenager
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Local Authorities Employ Undercover Teenagers to Combat Illegal Vape Sales to Minors"
Bbc News
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
In recent years, local authorities across England have ramped up efforts to combat the illegal sale of nicotine vapes to minors, with thousands of cases reported between 2022 and 2024. A significant strategy employed by councils involves the use of undercover teenagers who act as test purchasers in shops. One such teenager, Oliver, has been participating in these operations for three years. At just 15 years old, he has successfully bought vapes multiple times, despite many shops refusing to sell to him. He describes the process of acquiring vapes as feeling akin to purchasing illicit drugs, especially when shop workers attempt to conceal the transaction by handing over products in secretive manners, such as using brown paper bags. This underage purchasing initiative aims to hold retailers accountable for selling vapes to individuals under the legal age, which is currently set at 18 in the UK due to health concerns surrounding nicotine addiction, particularly in adolescents whose brains are still developing.
Another participant, 13-year-old Katie, shares similar experiences and highlights the prevalence of vaping among her peers, noting that many students either use vapes or sell them discreetly at school. Both Oliver and Katie emphasize the importance of their roles in helping to combat this growing issue. The trading standards officers monitor these test purchases closely, ensuring that the young participants do not interact with them during the buying process. If a sale occurs, immediate action is taken against the seller, which may include formal interviews and potential prosecution. Despite these efforts, Nazir Ali, a service manager in Barking and Dagenham, acknowledges that while there has been a decrease in vapes reaching minors in his area, the problem persists, as young people often find alternative means to obtain these products. The UK government is also stepping up its response by proposing new legislation to impose fines on retailers selling to underage individuals and increasing funding for trading standards to address the issue more effectively.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the growing issue of underage vaping in the UK, detailing how local authorities utilize undercover teenagers to catch retailers selling vapes illegally. It provides a firsthand account from a 15-year-old, Oliver, who has been involved in these operations and highlights the ease with which minors can acquire these products despite existing laws.
Purpose and Public Perception
The primary intention behind this piece appears to be raising awareness about the significant problem of underage vaping and the methods employed by local authorities to combat it. By showcasing Oliver's experiences, the article aims to inform the public about the challenges in enforcing regulations on vape sales and the potential risks associated with vaping for adolescents. This narrative may evoke concern among parents and educators about the prevalence of vaping among teenagers, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement and community awareness.
Hidden Aspects
While the article does not overtly conceal any information, it may downplay the perspective of vape shop owners or the context in which vaping products are marketed. By focusing on the illegal sales aspect, it may inadvertently create a one-dimensional view of the vape industry, neglecting the legitimate businesses that serve adult consumers looking to quit smoking.
Truthfulness and Manipulation
The article appears to be grounded in factual reporting, citing statistics from trading standards bodies and including direct quotes from a minor involved in the sting operations. However, its framing of the issue could be seen as slightly manipulative, as it emphasizes the illicit nature of vape sales while potentially overshadowing the legal market that exists for adult consumers. The language used may provoke fear or concern rather than encouraging a balanced discussion about vaping and its regulation.
Social Impact
This report could have implications for public health policy, potentially leading to increased calls for regulation around vaping products and more stringent penalties for retailers who violate laws. It may also influence public opinion, leading to greater community action against retailers perceived as irresponsible.
Community Support
Support for this article is likely to come from health-conscious communities, parents, and educational institutions concerned about youth behavior. Conversely, it may face criticism from vaping advocates who argue for the rights of adults to access vaping products as a smoking alternative.
Market Implications
In terms of market impact, the article may affect companies involved in the vaping industry, particularly those that could face increased scrutiny or regulation as a result of heightened public concern. Stocks of companies that manufacture or sell vaping products might experience fluctuations based on public perception influenced by such reports.
Global Context
While the article focuses on the UK, the issue of underage vaping is a global concern, tying into broader discussions about youth health and regulatory practices. It does not directly address global power dynamics but is relevant in the context of public health initiatives worldwide.
AI Influence
There is no clear indication that AI was used in the writing of this article. However, if AI were employed, it could have influenced the framing or tone to align with trends in public health discourse, perhaps emphasizing alarm over statistical data.
In conclusion, while the article provides a valuable insight into the challenges of underage vaping, it leans towards fear-based narratives that may not encompass the full scope of the vaping landscape. The concerns raised about youth vaping are valid, yet the potential for manipulation exists in the presentation of the facts, primarily focusing on the negative aspects without acknowledging the regulated market that serves adults.