Vapes sold to minors in nine municipalities in Alicante

The Guardia Civil has detected the sale of vapes and nicotine-containing liquids to minors, alongside finding vending machines lacking age-verification systems, across nine municipalities in the province of Alicante.

The operations resulted in 22 inspections that ended in infractions. Ten of these occurred in establishments dedicated to selling vapes. A further twelve were carried out on vending machines that lacked any mechanisms to prevent access by minors.

The investigation began in April 2025 by the Fiscal and Border Patrol of the Guardia Civil of Calpe. Officers initiated the inquiries due to concerns over vape consumption among young people, which was further motivated by a low perception of the risks associated with these products.

Inspections revealed that nine establishments were dispensing vapes and nicotine-containing liquids to minors without checking their age beforehand using an official document.

During the operations, officers located one vending machine operating without age control located just 50 metres from the entrance of a secondary school.

The inspections took place in Alicante, Altea, Benidorm, Calpe, Elda, l’Alfàs del Pi, La Nucía, San Vicente del Raspeig and Villajoyosa. Additionally, in one of the inspected establishments in l’Alfàs del Pi, the Guardia Civil also detected the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.

Current regulations prohibit the sale of products that can release nicotine, as well as those that imitate or encourage the habit of smoking, to anyone under the age of 18.

Conduct related to selling these products to minors can be considered a serious infraction, carrying fines of between 15,000.01 and 60,000 euro. In cases classified as very serious, sanctions can reach up to 600,000 euro.

The Guardia Civil is maintaining surveillance on these types of businesses. They also remind proprietors that they must check the age of buyers whenever there are doubts, and that they must adopt measures to prevent minors from accessing products that they are prohibited from buying.