Dorset Council Trading Standards has conducted a test purchasing exercise in which a 15-year-old volunteer was able to buy nicotine vapes at three premises of the 11 tested.

Investigations are continuing at those premises.

The test purchases were made as part of a response to information that vapes were being used in schools by under 18s. It is an offence for a business to sell nicotine vapes and e-liquids to anyone under 18 years old. It is also an offence for someone to buy them on behalf of an under 18. Advice had been provided to most of the stores tested beforehand, which were in Weymouth and Dorchester.

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Customer and Community Services, said: “While most businesses refused to sell, the results are still disappointing. We advise all businesses to make sure their staff are confident in asking for, and checking, proof of age.

“And that they have policies in place to challenge young people buying restricted goods, such as alcohol, tobacco or these vaping products.”

Chris Ricketts, head of programmes at Public Health Dorset, said: “Whilst vaping often plays an important role in supporting people to quit smoking, we are very concerned about the sale of e-cigarettes to under 18s and the marketing and positioning of products that makes vaping attractive to young people. It’s great that fewer and fewer people are smoking nowadays, and it feels like the crippling effects of tobacco could soon be behind us, but we don’t want future generations unnecessarily addicted to e-cigarettes instead.”

To report a concern to Trading Standards or get advice on a consumer problem the first point of contact is the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.