In a decisive move to uphold laws protecting minors, Hot N High Ltd, operating under the trade name Sheppards, was fined at Colchester Magistrates’ Court for selling nicotine products to a minor. The court session on Wednesday, 26 June, ended with the company being held accountable for its actions despite initially pleading not guilty.
The offense came to light following an undercover operation by Essex Trading Standards. The sting was part of a broader crackdown after multiple complaints had been lodged about Sheppards selling age-restricted products to children. In a particularly alarming incident during the operation, a 13-year-old test purchaser was sold a nicotine-laden vape by Sheppards, confirming the allegations and leading to the company’s prosecution.
The court ordered Hot N High Ltd to pay a £2,000 fine, along with a substantial £800 victim surcharge and a whopping £12,000 in legal costs, emphasising the severity with which such breaches are viewed.
Essex Trading Standards had previously engaged with Hot N High Ltd between 2021 and 2023, offering guidance on compliance with laws concerning underage sales. The company had also been subjected to several test purchasing operations in the past, pointing to a history of scrutiny under regulatory standards.
A spokesperson for Essex Trading Standards expressed the importance of diligence in enforcing age restrictions on sales:
“Sellers of age-restricted goods including vapes must ensure they are vigilant and always ask to see proof of age before making a sale to a young person. They must have robust processes in place, including staff training, to guard against any illegal underage sales. This prosecution shows how seriously we take this issue. Businesses which break the law in Essex will be targeted by Trading Standards.”
This case serves as a stark reminder to all businesses dealing in regulated goods about the critical nature of adhering to legal standards, especially when it comes to protecting young people from potentially harmful products.
source: Essex County Council
