Vape shop says child ban punishes single parents

A vape shop in Guernsey says new rules banning under‑18s entering its premises are unfair and will leave single parents struggling to buy products that help them quit smoking.

The law, which came into force on 31 March, also forces vape shops to black out their windows so no products can be seen within 9.8ft (3m) of the door.

The Vapebar said it had placed foliage in its windows in an attempt to meet the regulations, but staff say the bigger problem is being ordered to keep out parents with young children.

Health and Social Care president Dr George Oswald said the committee "considers protecting children from exposure to the advertising of vaping products a priority" and its decision was final.

Sophie Dorfner, who works in the shop with her mum and sister, said the rule did not make sense when parents could still take their children into corner shops that sell cigarettes, alcohol and disposable vapes.

She said customers, especially single parents, had already told them they would be affected. "Not everybody has the luxury of having somebody who's able to care for their child while they pop into a shop," she said.

The shop gathered more than 1,300 signatures calling for the rule to be changed, but the States rejected the petition.

Oswald said in a reply to the shop: "I totally appreciate the benefit of vaping for the cessation of tobacco smoking, but at committee level, we do not see the ban on advertising etc, and matters raised in your recent petition, a barrier to smokers obtaining the required vaping products they need."

He added: "The committee considers protecting children from exposure to the advertising of vaping products a priority. We accept the professional nature with which you have addressed this issue, but our decision on this matter is final."

The shop has now asked officials to create an exemption for supervised children under 10. Dorfner said: "We're hoping that the States will see some sense and understand that if a two year old comes in with their parent, they're not going to be walking out vaping."

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