Two shopkeepers in Stockport have recently faced legal action for selling e-cigarettes to a 14-year-old. In July 2022, Mr. Ahmed Ezat Jalili, the owner of Stockport Convenience on Heaton Lane, pleaded guilty to the sale of an e-cigarette to a child by one of his employees. The young person, who was actually a Trading Standards volunteer, did not provide any form of age identification, yet the sale proceeded regardless. As a result, Mr. Jalili was given a 12-month Conditional Discharge and ordered to pay a fine, prosecution costs, and victim surcharges totaling £1100. It is worth noting that Stockport Convenience Limited is now under new ownership.
Another incident occurred in January 2023 at Pound Hut on London Road in Hazel Grove, Stockport. Mr. Syed Nasir Raza Shah, the shopkeeper, sold an e-cigarette to the same 14-year-old Trading Standards volunteer without requesting any age identification. He even removed the packaging from the product during the transaction. Initially denying the sale, Mr. Shah eventually pleaded guilty to the illegal act. The case has been adjourned for sentencing at Stockport Magistrates Court on November 1, 2023.
Prior to these incidents, advisory letters and visits had been conducted to educate and inform shopkeepers about the regulations regarding the sale of age-restricted products. Councillor Frankie Singleton, Stockport Council’s cabinet member for communities, culture, and sport, emphasized the commitment to protecting young people and bringing those who break the law to justice. The prosecution of these two shopkeepers serves as a clear demonstration of this determination.
It is essential that establishments adhere to the law and ensure proper age verification when selling restricted products such as e-cigarettes. Selling these products to underage individuals not only violates the law but also poses potential health risks to young people. The responsibility falls on shopkeepers to diligently enforce age restrictions and contribute to creating a safer environment for the community.
Sources:
Stockport Council press release