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

Virginia Attorney General Backs Vape Enforcement Act Limiting Sales to FDA-Authorized or Pending Products
Virginia Attorney General Backs Vape Enforcement Act Limiting Sales to FDA-Authorized or Pending Products
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is backing new vape enforcement legislation that he said would do more than warn people about the dangers of vaping. The proposal would tighten rules on which products can be sold and increase enforcement aimed at keeping vapes out of the hands of young people.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Alan Zhao: What the Rise of Nicotine Pouches Means for Tobacco Retailers
Alan Zhao: What the Rise of Nicotine Pouches Means for Tobacco Retailers
Alan Zhao argues that nicotine pouches are no longer a niche alternative, but a force quietly reshaping the future of tobacco retail. For distributors and retailers, the real risk is not missing a trend—it is moving too late, after regulation tightens, shelf space hardens and the market begins to choose its winners.
Mar.31 by Alan Zhao | 2Firsts Perspectives
Glas Says FDA Scientific Review Backed Several Flavored Products Before Senior Leaders Blocked Them
Glas Says FDA Scientific Review Backed Several Flavored Products Before Senior Leaders Blocked Them
Glas says newly released internal FDA records show agency scientific reviewers supported authorization for several flavored G2 products before senior leadership halted them. According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, FDA’s Office of Science first recommended marketing authorization for all eight products in December 2025 and later supported six of them in February 2026. FDA ultimately authorized only the G2 device and one tobacco-flavored pod in March.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Finnish Customs Investigate Firm Suspected of Importing and Selling Nicotine Pouches Without Paying Tobacco Tax
Finnish Customs Investigate Firm Suspected of Importing and Selling Nicotine Pouches Without Paying Tobacco Tax
Finnish Customs are investigating a firm suspected of importing and selling nicotine pouches without paying tobacco tax. Two Finnish citizens have been questioned as part of the probe. The authority believes the nicotine pouches were imported into Finland from other EU countries before being distributed to Finnish retailers.
Mar.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Africa health department agrees to exempt smokeless and non-combustible products from tobacco control bill
South Africa health department agrees to exempt smokeless and non-combustible products from tobacco control bill
At a parliamentary committee meeting in South Africa, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the health department has agreed to exempt non-combustible and smokeless products — including chewing tobacco, snus, nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes — from the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. The department is prepared, at this stage, to exempt them from packaging and labelling requirements except for misleading or false claims.
Mar.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia Moves Toward Full Ban on E-Cigarettes and Vapes, With Scope Still Under Discussion
Russia Moves Toward Full Ban on E-Cigarettes and Vapes, With Scope Still Under Discussion
Russia’s State Commission for Countering Illegal Trafficking in Industrial Products on March 25 supported an initiative to fully ban the production, import and circulation of electronic cigarettes, vapes and refill liquids in Russia.
Mar.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai