REPORTS of illegal vape sales to teenagers in Wales have skyrocketed by 57% over the past year, with new data revealing that underage sales are reported to local authorities almost daily. However, despite the growing number of reports, only a fraction of offenders face fines, prompting calls for tougher enforcement.

According to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, Welsh councils received reports of underage vape sales nearly every day last year. Yet, only one in 20 sellers were issued penalties, with fines totalling just £1,250 across the country—far below the maximum penalty of £2,500 per offence.

The data, published in the 2024 Underage Vape Sales Report, analysed responses from 138 local authorities across the UK and was compiled by Vape Club, a leading vaping retailer. The report highlights the urgent need for the government to introduce a Vape Retailer and Distributor Licensing framework to combat the illegal market and prevent the sale of vapes to children.

Worst-affected areas

Among the Welsh local authorities, Rhondda Cynon Taf topped the list with 70 reports of illegal vape sales to minors. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council reported 46 cases, while Caerphilly and the Isle of Anglesey each recorded 31 incidents. Cyngor Gwynedd Council followed with 24 reports.

Across the UK, over 4,500 reports of underage vape sales were recorded in the past year, equivalent to one every two hours, representing a 31% increase on the previous year.

Calls for tougher penalties

Dan Marchant, Director of Vape Club, the UK’s largest vape retailer, stressed the need for more robust measures to deter illegal sales. He called on the government to support local authorities in enforcing stricter penalties for offenders.

“The government needs to support local councils in enforcing stricter penalties. While some progress is being made, it’s clear that there’s still plenty more that can be done to tackle the issue of underage vape sales in Wales,” Mr Marchant said.

He also advocated for the introduction of a licensing framework, which he argued could generate £50 million annually for Trading Standards, without increasing the tax burden on the public. The additional funds would allow for stricter enforcement and higher fines, which are currently well below the maximum permitted amount.

“Rogue retailers face little risk of being caught, and the current fines are simply too low,” Marchant added. “We would like to see fines raised to at least £10,000, with even higher penalties for repeat offenders.”

Council response

Local councils have acknowledged the growing problem, with Councillor Michelle Symonds, cabinet member for regeneration, housing, and public protection at Merthyr Tydfil Council, urging residents to report any suspected illegal sales.

“We have seen an increase in more young people experimenting with vapes. It is not acceptable to sell vapes to anyone underage. I encourage our communities to report any trader that they believe is selling vapes to our youths,” Cllr Symonds said.

Despite the mounting concerns, enforcement remains weak. With fines often falling far below the maximum penalty and few offenders being prosecuted, calls for reform are growing louder across the country.

The issue of youth vaping continues to be a pressing public health concern, and both industry leaders and local authorities are pushing for stronger regulatory measures to address the rising tide of underage sales in Wales and beyond.

A MILFORD HAVEN man is due to appear in court in connection with a series of historical sexual offences against minors spanning several decades.

Alan Roberts, 74, of Hakin, Milford Haven, has been charged with multiple counts of indecent assault on girls under the age of 14 and gross indecency.

Roberts, born on 19th August 1950, will attend a mention hearing at 2:00 pm in relation to numerous charges. The offences are said to have taken place between 1976 and 2001, with the victims remaining anonymous under the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.

The charges against Roberts include several counts of indecent assault, some occurring on multiple occasions, as well as gross indecency with a child under 14. The prosecution alleges these incidents occurred at various times in the Hakin area of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.

The charges have been brought under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and the Indecency with Children Act 1960, which were in force at the time of the alleged offences. The maximum penalties for these offences include a prison sentence of up to six months and an unlimited fine. Roberts has already indicated guilty pleas in connection to the charges, with a formal conviction recorded on 9th July 2024.

The hearing on 9th July had been adjourned to allow the prosecution to bring further charges. It is understood that Roberts will face additional counts as investigations continue. The offences, allegedly occurring over several years, have the earliest incidents dating back to 1976 and the most recent in 2018.

This case is expected to be closely followed, given the serious nature of the allegations and the historic timeline involved. Further developments in court are anticipated as the legal proceedings progress.

The hearing comes amidst increasing awareness of and sensitivity to historic sexual abuse cases in the UK, with authorities keen to bring justice to survivors regardless of when the offences occurred.

IN a significant development that echoes through the corridors of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS), Watch Manager Phil Irving of Haverfordwest Fire Station has been officially dismissed.

This decision, confirmed independently by six serving fire officers, follows a slew of bullying allegations that surfaced in 2021, fundamentally shaking the community’s trust in its firefighters.

The Herald’s investigation in 2021 uncovered a culture of fear and bullying at then Haverfordwest Fire Station, with numerous staff voicing their distress and frustration under the shadow of Irving’s intimidating presence.

The Herald confirmed that incidents of bullying led to a large number of requests for transfers away from Irving. Staff welfare concerns were not addressed, even when members of staff’s mental health and wellbeing were seriously affected.

Following these revelations, a comprehensive cultural review was launched, aiming to diagnose and remedy the toxic behaviours eroding the core values of the fire service.

A subsequent report, completed by Opinion Research Services in August 2023 paints a stark picture of the internal issues plaguing MAWWFRS. Nearly a third of the service’s employees are considering departure within the next five years, with reasons ranging from dissatisfaction with the work-life balance to disillusionment with the service’s internal culture. The report specifically pinpoints bullying as a persistent issue, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.

The audit reveals that despite some improvements in job satisfaction since 2014, significant challenges remain, notably in management practices and the treatment of staff. The report criticizes a lack of transparent and supportive leadership and identifies a need for fostering a more inclusive and respectful working environment.

The Herald reached out to the service seeking confirmation of Irving’s dismissal and an explanation of the circumstances surrounding it. Our inquiry specifically asked whether the dismissal was connected to the allegations of bullying reported in 2021.

The response from MAWWFRS was guarded, citing confidentiality and data protection obligations, “Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is unable to comment on the points raised in your email. Additionally, as you will appreciate, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service owes duties of confidentiality under data protection legislation to all its personnel which means that it would not be appropriate to respond to the specific questions you have asked either.”

Highly respected retired firefighter Gerwyn Howells, who served from 1974 until 2019 and continued as a member of the The Colour Party (Ceremonial detachment) until 2023, shared his experiences.

My initial complaints about Irving back in 2021 were not handled with the professionalism I expected. Senior managers need to be held accountable for how they protected him. Despite being a whistleblower, the complainant somehow discovered I had reported the matter, likely because the investigators were close to Irving. It’s astonishing that he was found not culpable at the time and allowed to continue his duties unchanged. He was nicknamed ‘Teflon’ because allegations never seemed to stick to him. Several firefighters even requested transfers away from the Haverfordwest station to avoid working under him.”

The news of the termination of Irving’s contact as a fire fighter has been met with a mixed response from the community and within the fire service itself. Many see it as a long-overdue step towards rectifying the wrongs of the past and rebuilding trust. However, others remain sceptical about the depth and permanence of change, reflecting a pervasive wariness of the service’s commitment to genuine reform.

The cultural audit culminates in a set of recommendations aimed at overhauling the service’s internal culture. These include the implementation of more robust mechanisms for reporting and addressing bullying, enhanced training programs focused on diversity and inclusion, and a strategic overhaul of leadership practices to ensure transparency and accountability.

The dismissal of Watch Manager Phil Irving should not be viewed as the closure of an unpleasant chapter, but as an impetus for profound and enduring change within the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. It is an opportunity to rebuild not just a workplace, but a vital public service on the principles of respect, integrity, and trust.