Illicit and noncompliant vapes that were found at the store
The owner of a city store who sold vapes to underage customers has been prosecuted by City of Wolverhampton Council.
Abdul Qadir Davoodi, owner of Wardak Supermarket in Lea Road, made the illegal sales during 2 test purchases.
He pleaded guilty to 4 charges under Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, one charge under the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015 and one charge under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Davoodi was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay court costs of £4,500 and a victim surcharge of £1,000.
Dudley Magistrates Court also made a forfeiture and destruction order against the items seized.
Trading Standards officers at the council originally received a complaint that Wardak Supermarket, also known as Lifestyle Express, was selling single cigarettes of foreign origin to children.
A covert test purchase was organised and in July 2023, a 17 year old volunteer was illegally sold a disposable e-cigarette/vape by Davoodi.
A second covert test purchase was carried out a year later when another 17 year old volunteer was again illegally sold an e-cigarette/vape.
A follow-up inspection of the store by Trading Standards officers in August 2024 found 69 non compliant e-cigarettes/vapes under the counter. These products were seized.
Since 1 June, 2025, sales of disposable vapes have been banned across the UK.
During the court hearing on 13 June, Davoodi told Dudley Magistrates that he had now put a new training regime in place for his staff, had installed CCTV and had put a refusals book system in place.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “This prosecution is the latest successful step in our efforts to protect city residents.
“Our Trading Standards officers are taking firm action against shops that put young people at risk, we will not tolerate this type of behaviour in Wolverhampton.
“As this prosecution shows, businesses need to be aware that selling age restricted products to underage customers can have serious consequences.
“If you break the law, you will be held accountable. We will not hesitate to take action against those who put people at risk and undermine the hard work of legitimate businesses.”
Anyone who thinks they may have been sold illegal goods or suspect someone is selling them, is asked to email trading.standards@wolverhampton.gov.uk or contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.