Two Cambridgeshire businesses are under investigation after allegedly selling age-restricted products to children.
The alleged breaches were uncovered in undercover checks carried out over the summer by Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards, Volunteer Police Cadets aged 14 to 16, and city and district council licensing teams.
The cadets tried to buy alcohol, vapes and tobacco from 26 premises flagged by complaints and intelligence.
Peter Gell, head of Trading Standards at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "Selling these products to children can have serious impacts on their health and wellbeing.
"Young people may not fully understand the long-term risks associated with using products such as tobacco and vapes at an early age.
"Our work with partners to identify and take action against businesses that break the law will continue.
"These exercises play an important role in protecting young people and ensuring retailers meet their legal responsibilities."
Most businesses followed good practice, with staff checking the cadets’ ages and refusing to sell where appropriate.
But two premises that sold age-restricted products to an underage cadet are now under investigation.
Inspector Hayley Thind, from Prevention, Custody, and Partnerships at Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: "The Volunteer Police Cadets promote good citizenship and have done a fantastic job in assisting our Trading Standards colleagues with this operation.
"The cadets’ ongoing support of operations such as this is testament to their resilience and ability to work under pressure, so well done to them.
"I am glad to see that the vast majority of local businesses complied with legislation and kept the young people in our communities safe."
Trading Standards is encouraging retailers to review their age-verification policies and ensure staff consistently challenge anyone who appears under the age of 25.
Mr Gell said: "With changes to legislation relating to tobacco and vape sales coming into force in the future, it is vital that businesses remain vigilant.
"Retailers should ensure staff receive appropriate training, along with regular refresher training, and that robust procedures are in place to prevent underage sales."
Concerns about young people getting alcohol can be reported to Cambridgeshire Police online.
Report shops selling vapes or tobacco to under-18s to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 from Monday to Friday, or through its online form at weekends.
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