Trading Standards officers visited the store on Sagecroft Road in Thatcham on the 03 February 2023 to carry out an inspection following a complaint from a member of the public that the store was selling illegal disposable vapes. The officers found 990 disposable electronic cigarettes containing liquid in a volume of between 4.5ml and 22m which exceeded the 2ml limits set out in the legislation. They seized around £5k worth of stock.
The business owner and his company were sentenced to pay total fines and costs amounting to £6,222. Mr Bajaj was fined £230 plus a victim surcharge of £92 and a £2230 contribution towards the prosecution costs. The company was fined £1000 plus a victim surcharge of £400 and £2250 towards the prosecution costs. The Magistrate had taken the guilty pleas into account when setting the fines. A forfeiture order was made for the destruction of all infringing devices seized.
Sean Murphy Service Lead for Public Protection: “Although vaping is considered safer than smoking traditional tobacco products it is important that legal controls and standards are complied with. Our Trading Standards Officers work hard to ensure that the vapes that are sold in the PPP areas meet the legal requirements as part of a wider strategy relating to the controls on vapes.”
Anyone with concerns about the sale of illegal vapes or vapes to being sold to people under age can contact the service on: 01635 519930 or e-mail: tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk.
