FOI release

Attempted/Successful Underage Nicotine Sales

This request was refused in part, so we didn't provide some of the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2026/02171

Received 9 September 2026

Published 28 September 2026

Request

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to please request the following information relating to complaints, reports or referrals concerning the sale or attempted sale of vaping and nicotine products to people under the age of 18.

For each of the last three financial years (2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26), please provide:

1. The total number of complaints, reports, referrals, or other recorded instances of concern received relating to vaping or nicotine products (including electronic cigarettes/vapes, nicotine pouches, nicotine-containing e-liquids, and other nicotine products) being sold or allegedly being sold to under-18s.

2. Where recorded, a breakdown of these instances by the following:

- Financial year

- Product type

- Outcome (e.g. investigation or compliance visit, test purchase, seizure, warning or other enforcement action, prosecution or financial penalty, etc)

- Premise type (e.g. convenience stores/newsagents, specialist vape shops, supermarkets, market stalls, online retailers, etc)

I would appreciate it if this data could be provided in Excel format.

If any part of this request requires clarification or if any aspect cannot be provided, please let me know, and I will be happy to assist.

Response

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to please request the following information relating to complaints, reports or referrals concerning the sale or attempted sale of vaping and nicotine products to people under the age of 18.

For each of the last three financial years (2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26), please provide:

1. The total number of complaints, reports, referrals, or other recorded instances of concern received relating to vaping or nicotine products (including electronic cigarettes/vapes, nicotine pouches, nicotine-containing e-liquids, and other nicotine products) being sold or allegedly being sold to under-18s.

2. Where recorded, a breakdown of these instances by the following:

- Financial year

- Product type

- Outcome (e.g. investigation or compliance visit, test purchase, seizure, warning or other enforcement action, prosecution or financial penalty, etc)

- Premise type (e.g. convenience stores/newsagents, specialist vape shops, supermarkets, market stalls, online retailers, etc)

I would appreciate it if this data could be provided in Excel format.

If any part of this request requires clarification or if any aspect cannot be provided, please let me know, and I will be happy to assist.

Answer: Please see the attached FOI2026 02171 Response Spreadsheet.

Documents

This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.

You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.