The successful prosecution was brought by our trading standards team following an investigation.
Satpal Singh Grewal, 66, company director of George Food and Wine Limited appeared before Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Monday (23 February), and pleaded guilty to 7 charges relating to the sale of nicotine inhaling products (vapes) to underage persons and possession for supply of illicit vapes from his shop at 88, George Street, Church Greasley, Swadlincote.
On 8 March 2025, trading standards officers conducted a test purchase exercise at the shop. 2 vapes were sold to a young person under the age of 18 years. No steps were taken to check their age. In fact, the young person was asked whether they wanted a ‘big or small’ vape.
The sale was followed up by an inspection by trading standards officers during which 50 illicit vapes with an estimated retail value of £500 were found and seized. These were non-compliant with the legislation by having tank capacities in excess of the permitted 2 millilitres and having inadequate labelling or health warnings.
The interventions of trading standards in March 2025 followed previous visits to the shop in 2024 when illicit vapes were found and seized and the business was given a written warning and comprehensive advice.
In sentencing, the magistrates said that Grewal had a lot of warnings over a long period of time, and clearly the business was more interested in profit. He was told the systems that were in place were inadequate on every level. The training was non-existent or very poor at least.
The court also heard that the till was not working properly, and he did not seem to have proper receipts for where he was buying products from.
Magistrates said that trading standards were trying to guide him over a long period of time, and he was warned that if the matter came back before the court in a similar way, it would most likely end up in the Crown Court.
They went on to comment that: “The court regards these matters very seriously and we hope that you have learned from your appearance in court today. The Trading Standards Department are there to protect the public and that is why they take actions like these.”
As well as the £2,800 fine, the company was ordered to pay £3,957.43 costs and a £1,120 victim surcharge, a total of £7,877.43.
Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Dawn Abbott said:
“Anyone selling vapes should be clear on the law, and our trading standards officers work incredibly hard to ensure businesses comply with the regulations by offering advice and guidance.
“Unfortunately, there are still traders who disregard the regulations despite being advised, and we have no choice but to prosecute them, as in this case.
“While vapes can be a useful tool to help existing smokers quit, those vapes must be compliant with the strict regulations set down in law, and the law is clear that vapes and similar nicotine-containing products must not be supplied to young people. They pose a potential health risk and a lifetime of addiction.
“This successful prosecution brought by our trading standards officers sends out a strong message that flouting the law by selling illicit vapes, and selling them to underage youngsters will not be tolerated.”
“Congratulations to trading standards for their hard work and continued determination and perseverance to keep the people of Derbyshire safe.”
People wanting to report any suspicions of the sale of vapes to underage people or supply of illicit vapes should report them to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline tel: 0808 2231133 or Crimestoppers tel: 0800 555111.