Suffolk Coastal MP spoke in parliament about Felixstowe shop

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal, spoke in parliament on Tuesday (November 26) to raise her concerns about Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes, which has opened in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.

However, the manager of the store said his staff never served anyone under the age of 18 and always asked for proof of age ID before serving customers.

The MP was speaking in the House of Commons during the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which, if it becomes law, will ban the sale of all vaping and nicotine products to under-18s, among other measures.

READ MORE: Concerns for Felixstowe Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes

She believed the store's sale of vapes alongside sweets was clearly designed to entice children aged under-18.

She said: “In my constituency, we have vape shops that are clearly targeting children and young people.

"Advertising products alongside sweets in a clear attempt to market and sell to under 18s.

READ MORE: Suffolk: Vapes seized from Ipswich, Felixstowe and Lowestoft

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter said Felixstowe residents were rightly outraged by the recent opening of Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes (Image: Labour Party) “Residents in Felixstowe have been rightly outraged by the recent opening of an American sweet and vape store – right on the high street in a prime location - that is so clearly targeting children. 

“I hope that under the terms of this Bill, these types of stores would be in breach of the law, and I will follow the detail closely.  

"I am reassured that the new £200 fixed penalty notice would enable Trading Standards Officers to act ‘on the spot’ to clamp down on underage sales.”

In August, Felixstowe mayor David Rowe also spoke of his concerns that the store was marketing vapes at children, adding that there "should be no indication that it is acceptable for children to smoke vapes."

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

However, Naseer Ihmidniazai, manager of Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes, said his staff had never served anyone aged under 18 and always asked for proof-of-age ID before serving.

He added: "I have not had any complaints about these things. They do not have any evidence or proof that I have been serving underage children."

Responding to the concerns that advertising sweets and vapes together was attracting under-18s, he said: "To be honest with you sir, I have no idea what I am supposed to sell to this kind of people?"

He said his business had to compete with other similar stores.

The Felixstowe store is one of two in the area - the other being in Carr Street, Ipswich.

The bill also proposes to ban the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products and will allow ministers to regulate the flavours, packaging and display of vapes so they do not appeal to children.

There will also be powers to ban the sale of tobacco to children turning 15 this year - or younger - and to extend the indoor smoking ban to specific outdoor spaces, such as children's playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals. 

READ MORE: Suffolk news