Warning to retailers after successful prosecution for underage vape sale

Barnsley Council has successfully secured prosecutions against a retailer and shop assistant following the sale of a nicotine vape to an underage purchaser in Royston.

The prosecution followed joint work between Barnsley Council's Trading Standards and Legal Services teams, supported by South Yorkshire Police, as part of a day of action to check that businesses were complying with safeguarding requirements and preventing the sale of age restricted products to children.

During the operation on 26 February 2026, a nicotine vape was sold to an underage purchaser at Mr Blue, 1 Midland Road, Royston, leading to prosecutions against both the business and the individual seller.

The case was heard at Barnsley Magistrates' Court on 27 August 2026.

Mr Blue Royston Limited pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £733. The business was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £293 and prosecution costs of £475, bringing the total financial penalty to £1,501.

The store assistant, Ismail Shrosh Rasoul, did not attend court and was found guilty in his absence. He was fined £660 and ordered to pay £475 in costs and a victim surcharge of £264, bringing the total financial penalty to £1,399.

Councillor Sam Burdett, Cabinet Spokesperson for Communities at Barnsley Council, said:

"Protecting children and young people from the harms associated with nicotine products is a priority for us. Retailers have a legal responsibility to carry out robust age verification checks and ensure age-restricted products do not fall into the hands of children.

"This prosecution should serve as a stark warning to any retailer in Barnsley selling nicotine products. If you are prepared to break the law by selling age-restricted products to children, you should be prepared for a visit from Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Police and to face the full consequences of your actions.

"We will not hesitate to investigate complaints, carry out test purchasing operations and take enforcement action where businesses fail to meet their legal responsibilities. Those who choose to ignore the law risk prosecution, significant penalties and serious damage to their reputation.

"We will continue to work closely with our partners, including South Yorkshire Police, to tackle underage sales, hold irresponsible retailers to account and protect the health and wellbeing of young people across our borough."

Barnsley Council will continue to work with partner organisations and responsible local businesses to promote compliance with age-restricted sales legislation and prevent children from accessing vaping products that could lead to nicotine addiction.