60% of Disposable E-Cigarettes Sold in the UK are Illegal

Aug.25.2022
60% of Disposable E-Cigarettes Sold in the UK are Illegal
60% of disposable e-cigarettes sold in the UK are estimated to be illegal, causing concern for the industry.

According to estimates from the electronic cigarette industry in the United Kingdom, 60% of disposable electronic cigarette products being sold in the country are illegal.


John Dunne, the CEO of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), stated in an interview with ConvenienceStore.co.uk that 40% to 60% of disposable e-cigarette products sold in the country do not comply with domestic laws or are counterfeit.


He explained, "Based on the quantity of illegal products I've seen on the market, the number of reports of illegal sales, and the content reported in accordance with trading standards, I believe the situation is indeed serious, and it's a huge concern." "I may receive reports on 200-400 UK illegal sellers every month. All of them are forwarded to the MHRA and trading standards for enforcement.


Officials from the West Yorkshire Trading Standards and Kirklees Town Center team seized over 3,000 illegal e-cigarettes worth around £40,000 this month.


John Dunne warned that non-compliant behavior among retailers could destroy an industry with enormous potential. "If retailers are allowed to grow responsibly, this is a market with huge growth potential, but shortsightedness and noncompliance could have negative consequences, potentially resulting in the industry being banned or facing restrictions such as flavor bans.


Dunne suggested that retailers uncertain about what products to stock should consult available guidelines, including those on the UKVIA website. "The simplest advice I can give is, if it has more than 600 to 800 puffs, don't take on this kind of product.


He also called for more action to be taken against retailers found to be selling e-cigarette products to those under 18. UKVIA recently outlined a range of measures to tackle retailers selling e-cigarettes to children and young people, including fines of £10,000 and a national retail industry split plan.


When I talk to retailers, I ask them to really consider what they are doing and whether they would want their own children to have access to these products. If the answer is no, then why sell them to children?


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