Crackdown on Illegal E-cigarette Sales in West Sussex

According to a report on October 17, a new frontline enforcement team funded by the West Sussex Public Health Agency in the UK has recently made significant progress in cracking down on illegal e-cigarette and tobacco sales. In their first operation, they seized a large quantity of illicit e-cigarette and tobacco products from three shops in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.

As the county's attention to this issue continues to rise, the problem of illegal e-cigarettes has become a nationwide challenge, sparking intense debates in the lower house about underage smoking and the illegal sale of e-cigarettes. In response to this issue, the West Sussex County Council has launched the latest initiative, collaborating with the Trading Standards Agency and the Department of Public Health to combat this problem.

Duncan Crow, a member of the Community Support, Fire and Rescue Cabinet, stated that the parliament is determined to continue to combat the illegal sale of e-cigarettes and other restricted-level products to children countywide. In collaboration with the Alcohol License Management Department, the Trading Standards Agency will review any commercial alcohol licenses if they are found to be selling restricted-level products to children.

He also cautioned businesses that the short-term financial gain they may achieve by selling illegal e-cigarettes and other restricted products to children could come at the high cost of losing their alcohol license, which would have significant economic implications for any company. This is not worth it. This approach also helps us to fulfill our legislative agenda of prioritizing the goal of protecting individuals from potentially harmful situations.

Since January 2022, the Trading Standards Authority has conducted up to 15 alcohol licensing reviews in West Sussex, yielding varied outcomes ranging from complete revocation to temporary suspension or additional licensing conditions. In a recent incident that took place in Worthing, a shop had its license revoked for selling alcohol to minors and was also found in possession of illegal e-cigarettes. The Trading Standards Authority has stated that any businesses found to be operating in violation of regulations will face enforcement actions, including prosecution, and any illegal inventory will be confiscated and destroyed.