1 in 5 Scots shops is flogging vapes to underage kids

Watchdog crackdown on sales to U18s

- DAN VEVERS 

ONE in five shops in Scotland was caught selling vapes to children during spot checks last year.

An investigation by Trading Standards officers revealed under-18s were sold e-cigarettes at dozens of retailers across the country.

Last year, officers carried out test purchase operations with under-18 volunteers at 312 premises and 63 were found to sell vapes to the youngsters.

The Society of Chief Officers of B Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) said the results were significantly worse than expected" and were likely caused by the child-appealing nature of vapes and their wide availability in shops.

The probe also found one in eight premises visited sold cigarettes to under-18s.