Sheroz Talib of Fone Us was fined over £3,000 after an investigation by Barnet Council’s trading standards team

Fone Us in Station Road, Edgware (Credit – Barnet Council)

An Edgware shopkeeper has been fined after he was caught selling vapes to a 14-year-old.

Sheroz Talib, owner of the Fone Us in Station Road, was charged with selling nicotine products to a person under 18 years at Willesden Magistrates court this week.

The business owner was caught by Barnet Council’s Trading Standards team, who had previously warned him after he was observed selling vapes to children in 2022.

He was fined as the salesperson and as director of the company, making the total fine £3,334.28.

Barnet Council leader, Cllr Barry Rawlings, said: “We’re very pleased with the fine handed to Mr Talib. Barnet Council is working hard to protect its community from crime and helping to protect the health of its children and young people.’’

The council leader said he hopes the case will be an exemplary warning to those who illegally trade vapes or cigarettes. He added that the team ‘’will continue to crack down on illegal underage sales.”

Vapes are increasingly popular electronic devices that enable users to inhale nicotine in a vapour instead of smoke.

A study from the charity Mix, which provides support to young people under 25, showed that the proportion of young people vaping over had almost trebled to 44% – up from 15% in 2021.

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