Millions of vapes seized in illegal trade crackdown

Over the past three years, Trading Standards teams across England have seized more than six million illegal or non‑compliant vaping products in a major crackdown ahead of the upcoming ban on single‑use disposables. BBC News joined Newcastle City Council’s senior officer Paul Leighton and technician Connor Lamb on unannounced raids, uncovering stashes hidden behind false panels, inside fridges, and amid rubbish.

Illicit vapes—often exceeding legal tank sizes, nicotine limits or lacking health warnings—pose serious health risks. One can deliver the equivalent of 200 cigarettes in a single device, compared to 20 in compliant models. Between 2022 and 2024, local authorities recorded over 7,500 test‑purchase failures for selling non‑compliant products and nearly 3,800 instances of under‑age sales. These offences contributed to at least 316 shop closures.

The government has allocated an extra £10 million this year for more Trading Standards officers and from 1 June, selling or possessing single‑use vapes will incur on‑the‑spot fines of £200, rising to unlimited fines or up to two years’ imprisonment for repeat offenders. Authorities hope the ban, combined with enhanced border checks and local enforcement, will curb the sophisticated criminal networks behind the illicit trade.