Birmingham City Council seizes millions worth of illegal goods

Jan.23.2025
Birmingham City Council seizes millions worth of illegal goods
Birmingham City Council seizes nearly £6 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes and tobacco products.

According to a report by Birmingham Mail on January 21st, the Birmingham City Council recently seized e-cigarettes, tobacco, and other goods worth nearly £6 million.


Since its launch in September 2024, the city council has seized nearly £5.7 million worth of goods from stores across the city, including 10,374 illegal e-cigarettes, 236 large bottles of nitrous oxide and related materials, 18,916 packs of cigarettes (totaling 378,320 cigarettes), 2,730 packs of tobacco, class B drugs, 187 packs of unlicensed snuff, and thousands of unlicensed pills.


Nicky Brennan, a cabinet member responsible for social justice, community safety, and equality affairs, stated:


There is cause for concern as we have now discovered that e-cigarettes can deliver up to over 18,000 puffs, far exceeding the legal limit of 600 puffs for 2 milligrams of nicotine. The use of illegal e-cigarettes by young people can jeopardize their long-term health, and in recent months we have already seen some alarming consequences. We will continue to work with the West Midlands County police to crack down on illegal sales.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

FDA Foreign Tobacco Registration Proposal Could Strengthen ENDS Import Oversight, Azim Chowdhury Says
FDA Foreign Tobacco Registration Proposal Could Strengthen ENDS Import Oversight, Azim Chowdhury Says
FDA’s proposed rule requiring foreign tobacco manufacturers to register establishments and list products is more than routine paperwork, Keller and Heckman LLP partner Azim Chowdhury told 2Firsts. He said it could strengthen FDA’s import enforcement, inspections and market surveillance. Chinese e-cigarette OEM/ODM manufacturers, specification developers, brand owners and component suppliers may need to review their roles, product data and U.S. market authorization status.
Special Report
Jun.29
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
China’s vape exports to the U.S. reached approximately $1.58 billion in the first half of 2026, remaining broadly stable from a year earlier but still below previous growth momentum. 2Firsts’ analysis of China Customs data shows that the U.S. market has not simply returned to its previous trajectory after the enforcement shock and inventory-driven swings of 2025. Instead, export momentum is shifting across product categories. Vaping devices and atomization hardware increased 15.2% year over year, while 6-methyl nicotine-related and other nicotine substitute products surged 234.7%. Meanwhile, traditional nicotine-containing vaping products continued to face pressure.
Jul.22
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies
2Firsts held its 2026 U.S. Market Compliance and Development Mid-Year Briefing in Shenzhen, China, on July 28. The discussion examined how state-level requirements, proposed foreign-establishment registration rules and expanding supply-chain responsibilities are changing product and investment decisions in the U.S. tobacco and nicotine market.
Jul.29
U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes
U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes
As cigarette volumes continue to decline, U.S. convenience-store operators are reconfiguring backbar space to accommodate modern oral nicotine products such as nicotine pouches. Industry data show nicotine pouches have become one of the fastest-growing nicotine categories while generating higher margins for retailers.
Jun.12
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Drug Regulator Target Illegal Vape Sales Disguised as Medical Devices, Define Six Violations
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Drug Regulator Target Illegal Vape Sales Disguised as Medical Devices, Define Six Violations
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Jiangsu Provincial Medical Products Administration have issued a joint notice targeting illegal production and sales of vape products disguised as medical devices. The notice identifies six categories of violations, including obtaining medical licenses through false materials, misusing medical device credentials, expanding production beyond approved scopes, and using medical device-related online platforms to promote or sell vape products. The action is based on China’s tobacco and medical device regulations and aims to strengthen vape oversight and consumer protection.
Aug.04
UK Vaping Products Duty to Raise £565 Million by 2030/31
UK Vaping Products Duty to Raise £565 Million by 2030/31
The UK will introduce Vaping Products Duty on all vaping liquids from October 1, 2026, with government revenue forecast to rise from £135 million in 2026/27 to £565 million by 2030/31.
Jun.18