Council pursuing enforcement notices against vape shops

Concerns have been raised about the number of shops locally selling “tobacco, tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products” to young people.

The issue was highlighted at Derry City and Strabane District Council’s November Health and Community committee.

Councillors learned that Council officers visited 48 premises, 10 of which sold e-cigarettes to a person under 18 years of age.

It also emerged that no premises sold tobacco products to a person under 18 years of age. 

As a result, enforcement action is underway, including the service of 5 fixed penalty notices thus far with other enforcement action under consideration in relation to the remaining cases.

The statistics were revealed in a report on recent test purchasing exercises undertaken in relation to tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products to persons under the age of 18 years across the Council area.

IN PICTURES: 50th anniversary commemoration for Oglach John McDaid and Oglach Ethel Lynch

Families lay wreaths and floral tributes at the joint 50th anniversary of Oglach John McDaid and Oglach Ethel Lynch held at the Creggan Republican monument

Finance minister pushes ahead with rate reform plan despite Executive shut out

New regulations came into effect in February 2022 to prevent smoking in vehicles with children present and to prevent children under 18 years from purchasing nicotine inhaling products. 

Similar provisions have been in place for some time in relation to the sale of tobacco-related products to persons under 18 years.

Council currently receives funding from the Public Health Agency to employ a Tobacco Control Officer (TCO) to enforce the provisions of legislation aimed at preventing underage sales of tobacco and tobacco products and requiring premises and vehicles to be smoke free and enforce provisions in relation to the sale of nicotine inhaling products (e-cigarettes). 

As part of the TCO duties, Council undertakes test purchasing exercises for tobacco, tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products. 

Fixed penalty charges are set at £250 if paid within 28 days or £187.50 if paid within 14 days. 

Further test purchase exercises are scheduled to take place by the end of March 2025.

Cllr Brian Tierney (SDLP) said it was crucial to ensure a proportion of the ongoing test purchasing exercises should take place outside of school hours, to ensure young people were being protected.