Concerns Rise as Illegal E-Cigarettes Target UK Children

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jul.04.2024
Concerns Rise as Illegal E-Cigarettes Target UK Children
Leicestershire County in UK seizes 20,000 illegal e-cigarettes, issues warning to children, takes action against underage sales.

According to a report by the BBC on July 4th, since 2022, approximately 20,000 illegal e-cigarettes have been seized in Leicester, England. The county has issued warnings about the dangers of using e-cigarettes to local children.


A survey in 2022 found that one-quarter of teenagers under 18 in the county had tried e-cigarettes, with one in seven children using them at least weekly. Following this, the county's trade standards team has taken steps to reduce the number of e-cigarettes sold to minors.


Ryan Langley, of the county public health department's smoking cessation service team, stated that children should absolutely not use e-cigarettes.


Trade standards official Helen Donegan stated that they are providing advice to retailers on selling e-cigarettes to children and are removing illegal products being sold on the black market.


We know what ingredients are in e-cigarettes registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), but we have no knowledge of the ingredients, sources, and potential risks of these illegal e-cigarettes.


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

Ireland Taoiseach Calls for Phasing Out Vapes as Cabinet Considers Ban on Single-Use Devices
Ireland Taoiseach Calls for Phasing Out Vapes as Cabinet Considers Ban on Single-Use Devices
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland should work toward eliminating the use of vapes over time, as the Cabinet meets to consider the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, proposed by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The bill would ban the retail sale of single-use vapes six months after it becomes law.
Nov.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Tennessee Cracks Down on Vaping: 10 % Tax Hike, Expanded Enforcement Powers, Mandatory ID Checks at Every Retail Counter
Tennessee Cracks Down on Vaping: 10 % Tax Hike, Expanded Enforcement Powers, Mandatory ID Checks at Every Retail Counter
New Tennessee laws passed this year impose a 10 % tax on vaping products, empower the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to conduct compliance inspections, and set steep fines for retailers who sell to minors. Yet, with no statewide retail-licensing scheme for e-cigarettes, enforcing the penalties remains problematic. Meanwhile, stores in cities like Jackson have voluntarily stepped up ID scanning and product tracking to help the rules take hold.
Dec.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | 2× “2+10” configuration, rated 36,000 puffs — VOZOL launches NEON PLUG MAX
Product | 2× “2+10” configuration, rated 36,000 puffs — VOZOL launches NEON PLUG MAX
VOZOL has listed a new product, NEON PLUG MAX, on its official website, featuring dual 2 ml prefilled pods and dual 10 ml refill bottles (24 ml total), a claimed maximum of 36,000 puffs, and two-flavour switching. The device was previously shown at InterTabac 2025 and was listed by the UK MHRA in March 2025; however, as of publication it was not yet available on overseas retail sites.
Oct.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Observation|ZYN Launches Brand Advertisement at Dubai International Airport, Promoting Itself as “World’s No.1 Nicotine Pouch Brand”
2Firsts Observation|ZYN Launches Brand Advertisement at Dubai International Airport, Promoting Itself as “World’s No.1 Nicotine Pouch Brand”
2Firsts observed that Philip Morris International’s (PMI) nicotine pouch brand ZYN has launched digital screen advertisements and product displays at the Dubai International Airport Duty Free area, featuring flavors such as Spearmint, Black Cherry, and Cool Mint, while promoting itself with the slogan “World’s No.1 Nicotine Pouch Brand.”
Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | FASTA Unveils New U.S. Offering, Citing “Made in USA” Status and Texas Compliance
Product | FASTA Unveils New U.S. Offering, Citing “Made in USA” Status and Texas Compliance
FASTA has launched a new disposable, the FASTA ALIEN 51K, on U.S. online channels. Retailer Mi-Pod describes the product as “assembled and filled in the U.S.” and labels it as compliant with Texas e-cigarette registration requirements. The ALIEN 51K is now available via Mi-Pod and Vaping, with a suggested retail price of about $19.99.
Nov.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA’s Makary on CNN: The Triple Challenge in Vape Regulation — New Opioids, Illicit Trade, and Youth Protection
FDA’s Makary on CNN: The Triple Challenge in Vape Regulation — New Opioids, Illicit Trade, and Youth Protection
In an interview with CNN’s Chasing Life, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary warned that new health risks — from emerging opioids such as 7-OH to unregulated vaping products — are slipping through regulatory cracks. His remarks reveal the FDA’s growing challenge to balance harm reduction for adult smokers with youth protection and cross-border enforcement.
Oct.10