Noragha Sarwari was sole owner and director of Nodia Foods Ltd when the sale was made to a 15-year-old child volunteer during a test purchase in July last year.

Immediately after the sale, a council Trading Standards officer inspected the premises with police and seized 17 packets of illicit cigarettes, 37 banned disposable vapes and 15 packets of illicit oral tobacco.

Sales of disposable vapes have been banned across the UK since 1 June 2025,

The council brought a prosecution against Sarwari, along with the Birmingham Road store, which was trading as The Corner Shop.

At Dudley Magistrates Court on 15 July, Sarwari was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison, suspended for 24 months. Court costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £182 were also imposed.

Nodia Foods Ltd received a fine of £3,500.00, a victim surcharge of £1,400 and costs of £1,500.

At an earlier hearing on 1 April, Sarwari had pleaded guiltyto 10 charges under Tobacco and Related Products Regulations, three charges under the Trade Marks Act and one charge each under Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Regulations and Environmental Protection (Single Use Vapes) Regulations.

He also admitted the same charges on behalf of the business along with a further charge under the Children and Young Persons Act.

During an interview with Trading Standards officers, Sarwari said the vapes and lighters had been bought from a cash and carry but the cigarettes and oral tobacco were purchased from an unidentified man who appeared at the shop in a van.

Councillor Qaiser Azeem, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “This prosecution is another important step in our ongoing work to safeguard residents across our city.

“Our Trading Standards team is taking decisive action against retailers who put young people at risk. This behaviour has no place in Wolverhampton, and we will not tolerate it.

“As this case demonstrates, businesses must understand that selling age‑restricted products to underage customers carries serious consequences.

“If you break the law, you will face action. We will not hesitate to hold to account anyone who endangers the public or undermines the efforts of responsible 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.