American Candy store opened 300m from school.

[sparrowflewdown]

I have had an email from school warning about counterfeit vapes, “energy sticks,” and high-caffeine drinks becoming a real concern.
Now an American Candy & Vape shop has opened 300m from school, right on the main route. My DS says children are vaping age 12 and bringing high energy drinks in blazers.
We already have loads of these shops in the town centre, why are they allowed to open one so close to a school? Can anything be done?

AIBU to picket outside this shop until it is closed down.

I don't know ,but as you said they are everywhere it would be like whackamole close one down and several more appear

If they are possibly selling vapes to 12 year olds then report them to Trading Standards and the local council.
They will check up on them.

They're money laundering I expect.

We have a magical no customer american sweet shop in our town. For what's its worth I reported it to crimestoppers.

It is garish pink and has balloons outside today. One side has overpriced sweets and the other vapes. It is clearly geared towards children and not adults.

Do you think supermarkets and newsagents shouldn’t be allowed near schools either? They also sell vape fluid and energy drinks. How about betting shops? Pubs? Off-licences?

If they are selling adult products to underage kids then they are breaking the law. But that would be the case regardless of where they were located. The presence of a school doesn’t mean every business in sight has to be child-friendly. You can’t expect to impose a U rating on half the town just because you’re a parent of a school age kid.

One to ask your licensing officer and relevant councillors about. I think there are rules on begging shops and fast food places, so it’s absurd to me that the vape/sweets shop would be allowed.
You could also ask your PTA or school board if they have any plans around it including rules within school.

If I write to the MP, Local Councillor, Headteacher and GP with the school's warning email and my concerns will anything change?

Do you think supermarkets and newsagents shouldn’t be allowed near schools either? They also sell vape fluid and energy drinks. How about betting shops? Pubs? Off-licences?

There are not as garish and/or have hundreds of brightly coloured sweets and vapes on display. I mean what child wouldn't want to have a look in one of these shops?!

Given they are all money laundering, I have no idea why any at all are open tbh.

Very much doubt it. Unless they are doing anything illegal and get caught doing so.

No. It would make you look a bit barmy though. I understand your concern but there’s nothing you can do about it other than monitor your own child’s purchasing.

Do you really think it would? I think it is good to highlight that we are not happy for these shops to be open let alone next to a high school.

An also it is bit late when a child is addicted to nicotine and caffeine.

Yes they do! Walk along the cereal isle in any supermarket ... Everyone is worse for kids than chocolate.

What a daft world we live in when a shop that sells sweets can't open near a school. Parents can say no, they can educate their kids...they can also stuff them full of sweets if they like....it's nothing to do with you

When my kids go to the shops 13/14, I warn them to not set foot in that shop . It’s so overpriced. I once stood at the till years ago with five small sweetie items to be charged 11 quid. I told the shop keeper no thank you. I didn’t realise the sold vapes too

Agree with the poster who said they’re money laundering. Lots of them are.

When I was at school I flogged sweets, chocolate, biscuits and Lucozade from my backpack. Many kids trek for miles to get to school and will pass all manor of shops.

My point is kids out of the house for 6-8 hours per day will get hold of stuff if they want to. I knew a handful of kids in my year I could get a ciggie off. This wasn’t long ago at all.

Feed them properly at home. Teach them about nutrition, smoking etc and at some point they’re going to have to make their own choices.

FWIW, I did in a full packet of Maryland cookies and a Happy Shopper energy drink almost every school day for five years and I’m healthy and have a balanced diet in adulthood.

Parent your child - teach them, educate them. Don't expect others to do it for you.

I know I’ve educated my own children and talked to them about the risks with these shops, but not every parent does. Some children are more vulnerable and don’t have that same protection — and that’s what worries me.

Why would you write to the headteacher? They already know and are powerless to do anything about it.

Ok points taken - I will leave it.

Don't leave it for long. I bet that shop doesn't sustain enough custom to keep open, but it magically will. Other "American Candy" shops have been raided and found to have counterfeit goods. Junk and vapes are bad enough, without them containing illegal ingredients.
Once you know how the land lies just report to crimestoppers and let the local councillors know.

I would do that if it concerns you. Some schools near me are working together to stop a fast food outlet opening near the schools - I don't think they'll stop it, but they are trying.
Not everyone does educate their kids and not every kid whose parents have educated them can resist the lure of vapes if "everyone is doing it".
If the shop opens, at least more people are aware and it might be harder for them to behave illegally (selling vapes to under age kids, etc).

I deal with this issue on a daily basis therefore this is my advice

You need to report your concerns to your local Trading Standards service they are best placed to deal with all the issues you have raised.The more reports they receive the better evidence and justification they have to take action.

Contact all the other people you have suggested as they will put pressure on services to visit.

For the people who don't believe America Candy is an issue. This is latest issue

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/us-candy-sweets-cancer-risk-b2768631.html

There are legitimate concerns regarding the American Candy being imported into the UK and health. Banned ingredients that can really effect children's health long term.

The best report link for all the issues is below as the CAB handle all the initial referrals for Trading Standards and will notify them of the issue's

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/

Hope this helps

These stores are a well known front for money laundering and are also known for selling illegal bales.

Thank you @LOS2025 I will definitely do this next week.

An International store has been closed down due to selling illegal vapes and to children etc but another one has now opened and they are selling high energy drinks etc to 12 year olds I just need to wait to find out from DS if they are selling vapes.

There are so many shops. I would voluntarily join a taskforce to investigate these shops and get them closed down.