A shop owner in Barking and Dagenham has been fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,375 costs for illegally selling a cigarette to an underage person.

 

Mr Rahil Raval, 46, director of Rose Lane Convenience Store, Rose Lane RM6 5NR sold a single cigarette, outside of its packaging, to a person under the age of 18.

 

The offence took place on 30 May 2018 during a routine test purchase exercise by Council Trading Standards officers. Cigarettes were stored in a visible tin container with “single cigarettes = £1” written on the side.

 

On Friday 18 January 2019, Barkingside Magistrates Court found Mr Raval guilty of the offence and ordered him to pay a £1,000 fine and also £1,375 costs to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. 

"This case clearly shows that we won’t tolerate businesses that sell cigarettes to underage young people in Barking and Dagenham."

Reacting to the outcome, Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “This case clearly shows that we won’t tolerate businesses that sell cigarettes to underage young people in Barking and Dagenham.  Children who start smoking at younger ages are more likely to smoke heavily and they’re also at the greatest risk of developing smoking related diseases. 

 

“Shops absolutely must ask all young people for valid proof of age. We take this offence very seriously and we will continue to take action if we suspect a business of selling age-restricted products to our young people."

Report it 

Residents can confidentially report concerns about businesses that may be selling tobacco to underage young people, or email the Trading Standards Team at tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk