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

PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
India has reaffirmed its 2019 ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices, effectively blocking Philip Morris International (PMI) from launching IQOS in the country despite years of lobbying. Together with Taiwan, China’s conditional opening of heated tobacco products, and Japan’s planned 2026 excise tax hikes, these moves highlight increasingly divergent national regulatory pathways—an external uncertainty shaping PMI’s smoke-free growth trajectory.
Feb.12
Philippines DTI Floats Blanket Ban on Open-Pod Vapes and E-Liquids, Seeks Public Input
Philippines DTI Floats Blanket Ban on Open-Pod Vapes and E-Liquids, Seeks Public Input
Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is inviting stakeholder feedback on a draft Department Administrative Order (DAO) that would impose a blanket ban on open vape pods and e-liquids—covering use, manufacturing, importation, and distribution.
Jan.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
TGA Sets 2026–2027 Compliance Principles, Flags Vaping Goods as a 2026 Priority
TGA Sets 2026–2027 Compliance Principles, Flags Vaping Goods as a 2026 Priority
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has released its Compliance Principles for 2026 and 2027.Among 12 therapeutic goods categories identified for priority compliance and enforcement activity, TGA includes vaping goods, and it plans a further review of these priorities in March 2026.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Barnsley: Town-centre vape shop and owner hit with £15,000+ bill after ignoring three improvement notices
UK Barnsley: Town-centre vape shop and owner hit with £15,000+ bill after ignoring three improvement notices
A Barnsley town-centre vape retailer and its owner have been ordered to pay more than £15,000 after admitting multiple offences linked to the continued sale of illegal single-use vapes and non-compliant food items, despite three formal improvement notices.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Rethinking Nicotine Harm Reduction: A Neuroscientist’s Perspective on Scientific Gaps and Future Directions — By Dr. Xin-an Liu
Rethinking Nicotine Harm Reduction: A Neuroscientist’s Perspective on Scientific Gaps and Future Directions — By Dr. Xin-an Liu
After France’s ANSES report on nicotine products and harm reduction, Dr. Xin-an Liu wrote to 2Firsts reassessing the field’s foundations. She argues the debate reveals gaps in evidence on long-term behavioral substitution, addiction pathways and neurobiological impacts, and calls for longitudinal research, integrated behavioral science and neuroimaging, clearer risk assessment and stronger transparency to ensure policy and next-generation product development rest on solid evidence.
Industry Insight
Feb.24
FDA Outlines Manufacturing Requirements as Critical to ENDS PMTA Success
FDA Outlines Manufacturing Requirements as Critical to ENDS PMTA Success
FDA officials said manufacturing consistency is a core prerequisite for ENDS PMTA reviews, not a procedural formality. During its February 10, 2026 roundtable, the agency outlined expectations for quality management systems, manufacturing documentation, nicotine control, stability studies, and risk mitigation, emphasizing that robust manufacturing evidence underpins determinations of whether products are appropriate for the protection of public health.
Feb.11