Sydney Chinese Shop Owner Caught in Undercover Sting: Fined $5,000 for Selling Vapes to a Minor

The Daily Telegraph reported on July 13 that a Chinese shop owner in Sydney was heavily fined AUD 5,000 for selling a vaping device to a minor.

According to the report, during an undercover compliance check, a 14-year-old boy entered a newsagency and successfully purchased a vaping device without being asked to show any identification. The shop owner, Jin Zou of Chatswood, appeared before Hornsby Local Court and admitted to the charge of selling a tobacco product to a minor.

(Image source: The Daily Telegraph)

Court documents show that on December 19 last year, the 14-year-old undercover participant worked with Sydney public health authorities to carry out a compliance test at Gordon Newsagency.

The court heard that this was the second time Zou had committed this type of offense.

Magistrate Alexander Mijovich pointed out that the maximum penalty for this offense is AUD 50,000, and that Zou was not a first-time offender. “Why didn’t you learn your lesson nine years ago? In 2014, you appeared in court for the same offense.”

The court was told that the boy entered the shop and asked, “What flavors of vapes do you sell here?”

Zou then produced a brown cardboard box and showed him several vape flavors. The boy chose one, and Zou sold it to him for AUD 25 without asking his age or requesting any identification.

An environmental health officer who was nearby immediately questioned Zou, who argued that she had been “too busy” at the time to verify the child’s identity.

Court documents also show that the product packaging clearly stated that it was intended only for people aged 21 and over, and NSW Health said the vaping device sold by Zou contained nicotine. Zou told health officers that she had only two vaping devices for sale under the counter, but 15 were later found.

The report said that during the hearing, Zou told the magistrate through a Chinese interpreter that she was “willing to accept punishment.” The court also heard that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zou’s business had been struggling, despite her having operated the shop for 15 years.

Magistrate Mijovich said: “If you are unwilling to understand your obligations, then you must face the consequences. You chose to sell smoking products to a 14-year-old boy.”

In the end, Zou was convicted and fined AUD 5,000, equal to 10% of the maximum penalty.