As part of Bromley Council’s ongoing campaign to protect residents, the director of a business has been prosecuted after Trading Standards found vapes containing illegal amounts of nicotine.
Mr Andrei Chicus, director of B.MobiFix Ltd, pleaded guilty to seven charges of possession for supply of non-compliant e-cigarettes, unsafe toys, and other items in a hearing at Bromley Magistrates Court.
Trading Standards visited the business on Bromley High Street along with police following reports about the sale of age-restricted goods.
277 vapes were seized for containing illegal amounts of nicotine and around 165 toys were also seized for breaching safety regulations.
The shop was visited on two previous occasions in December 2021 and June 2022 by Trading Standards, where non-complian vapes were seized and surrendered to officers.
Guidance was issued to the business about tobacco and related products, however director Andrei Chicus, who was appointed as the company director in November 2022, denied any knowledge of these events.
In court, Mr Chicus also denied knowledge of the law regarding e-cigarettes and confessed to not verifying the safety of the toy products acquired from the supplier.
Both the company and the director received a fine of £6,444 in fines and costs.
Councillor Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, said: “It is important that retailers follow the safety laws when selling goods such as vapes and are mindful of the age-restricted nature of products too.
“This prosecution sends a strong message to all that this is a serious matter.
“Our Trading Standards team is on hand to give advice to retailers should they need it.
“As part of our approach, we do seek to protect young people from age-restricted products and will take enforcement action where needed.”
