FOI Request - Selling of Illicit Vapes

Request 101003395097

I am seeking data on the number of convenience stores found selling illicit vapes. I believe there is a strong public interest for this information to be published due to a potential link between the popularity of vapes and the impact on the safety and wellbeing of business owners.

Please can you supply the following information:

1. The number of businesses found selling illicit vapes for the period of 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022 and January 2023 and 31 August 2023.

The key search terms I am seeking in relation to the type of business are; convenience store, corner shop, grocery store, supermarket, newsagent, symbol group, tobacconist, off licence and independent retailer.

2. Could you also provide the name the offending businesses traded under and their address.

3. The punishment for the business and whether they complied – warning, fine, compliance notice, escalation to the police, etc.

Response 04-10-2023

1. 

2022
February - 1 x convenience store
April - 1 x newsagent
May - 1 x convenience store
June - 5 x convenience stores

2023
March - 2 x petrol stations
June - 2 x convenience stores
July - 1 x newsagent

2. This information is exempt under section 33(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Commercial interests and the economy  and Section 34: Investigations by Scottish public authorities

3. On each occasion, the NVPs on display were incorrectly labelled or did not have the appropriate warnings or had been subject to a recall. All retailers were asked to remove the NVPs from sale and were provided with advice.