A shop caught selling vapes to underage kids has been fined thousands of pounds following a council investigation.
In August 2025, Mr Mahesh, Director of Value Retailers Ltd on Foxcroft Road, sold a vape to a 15 and 16-year-old test purchaser without asking for their age or any ID. On 25 March, Value Retailers Ltd and Mr Mahesh pleaded guilty at Bexley Magistrates Court and received fines and costs of £5,192.
The Eltham business received fines and a victim surcharge totalling £4,145, Mr Mahesh personally received fines and a victim surcharge of £1,047 for the sale.
It was found that the business had no measures in place to prevent sales of nicotine products to underage people. Additionally, no statutory tobacco notice or alcohol premises licence were displayed at the shop.
Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or vape products can report it to the council by calling 020 8921 8157 or emailing tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.
If you want to provide this information anonymously visit the London Trading Standards website.