Only one Plymouth outlet failed test
Police and Trading Standards in Plymouth have used teenage cadets as bait to see if shopkeepers sell vapes to youngsters.
They sent the cadets, aged under 18 and in everyday clothes, to try to buy them from six shops in the city.
Five shops passed the test, asking the teens for ID to check their age - and when the cadets couldn't prove they were adults, they were sent packing without anything to puff on.
The one shop that failed is now being investigated by Trading Standards.
The Child Centred Policing team said: “We are pleased our police cadets were able to support with this operation. Vapes and e-cigarettes are becoming very popular, and it is important that underage people cannot illegally purchase these until they reach the age of 18.
"It’s great that our cadets and officers were able to provide some support to help tackle this issue and continue safeguarding young people.”
Vapes are battery operated devices that are used to simulate smoking and can contain nicotine. The legal age to buy them is 18.
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