Illegal Vapes Seizures in 2023 Seven Times Higher Than 2021
In the first four months of 2023, the number of illegal vapes seized exceeded the total seizures in all of 2021 by seven times, as reported in the latest Freedom of Information request obtained by Vape Club, a leading advocate for the elimination of illegal vapes.
This alarming increase raises concerns about the influx of potentially dangerous illegal vapes entering the UK through its borders.
These illegal vapes encompass a wide range of products that do not comply with UK regulations and have not undergone necessary safety testing, including counterfeits of popular brands.
Amidst these worrisome findings, the vaping industry is calling for stronger clampdowns, stricter regulation enforcement, and treating illegal vaping products with the same severity as counterfeit cigarettes.
Notably, the number of illegal vapes seized in the UK this year has more than doubled the number of counterfeit cigarettes.
Across the entire UK, counterfeit vapes pose a significant issue, with a concentration of offending regions mainly in England.
Since 2021, London, the South East, and North West consistently rank as the top three regions for counterfeit vape seizures, with the busiest borders in the UK experiencing the highest volume of illegal vape imports.
Expressing concern, Dan Marchant, Director of Vape Club, states, “Illicit vaping products have the potential to be harmful to users’ health.”
“One way to identify an illegal vape is through the product description, particularly the number of puffs advertised. According to UK law, a vape product can only contain a maximum of 2ml of e-liquid, which typically equates to around 500-700 puffs.”
“Claims of a higher puff count are usually indicative that the product is illegal and has not undergone proper testing and safety measures.”
Marching further, he adds, “The responsible side of the industry vehemently urges authorities to enforce regulations and take decisive action against businesses that flout the rules.”
“Implementing a licensing scheme that includes rigorous age verification tests for every retailer is necessary. Additionally, substantial fines for any breaches by rogue sellers would serve as a real deterrent.”
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) supports this stance and is advocating for the fines to be raised to a minimum of £10,000.
Highlighting the wider implications, Councillor Hazel Simmons MBE, leader of Luton Council, asserts, “The sale of illicit tobacco, vape pens, and shisha is often associated with organized criminal activities, making vigilance crucial.”
“Apart from evading taxes and unfairly disadvantaging honest traders, the sale of illicit vape pens and tobacco ultimately jeopardizes people’s health. This is particularly concerning when these traders sell these products to children. Parents and caregivers must engage with their children to ensure they are not accessing nicotine-containing vape pens before they turn 18.”
