Vapes on a store shelf
Barnet Council has successfully prosecuted a shopkeeper for selling vapes to an underage teenager, resulting in a penalty of nearly £2,000.
Dr Rizwan Manzoor Hussain, of The Lindens, Friern Park, was caught selling a vape to an underage teenager at Vape City London in Finchley during a routine inspection by council officers.
Hussain pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates' Court via a plea form and indicated, according to court documents, that the vape business on Woodhouse Road would close by September 30.
When his case was heard on September 26, Hussain was fined £1,100 (later reduced to £733), ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £293, and costs of £800, bringing the total to £1,826. The amount is payable within 28 days.
Cllr Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economy, and Effective Council, stated:
"We are committed to the health and safety of young people in our borough and we will take decisive action to protect them when that is endangered.
"While we are here to support and work alongside local businesses that operate within the law, we will not hesitate to act swiftly and firmly against any who are found to be breaking the law and compromising public health."
If you have concerns about how a business is operating within the borough, please contact: trading.standards@barnet.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can report matters of interest using the London Trading Standards website at: https://www.londontradingstandards.org.uk/report-consumer-crime/