Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarettes in Wales Supported by Government Funding

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.18.2023
Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarettes in Wales Supported by Government Funding
Wales local government cracks down on illegal e-cigarettes, providing funds to tackle the issue and protect consumers.

Recently, according to a report by the South Wales Argus, the local government in Wales, United Kingdom, is set to intensify its efforts to tackle the issue of illicit tobacco products. It is currently providing funding to the Welsh Trading Standards to aid in addressing the problem of illegal e-cigarettes in Wales.

 

During a recent operation, authorities seized over 840,000 illicit cigarettes and more than 400 kilograms of illegal hand-rolled tobacco. These contraband tobacco products were confiscated from commercial establishments in Wales.

 

Officials of the Trading Standards Agency in Wales will employ various strategies, including covert test purchases, canine searches, intelligent data collection, and customs inspections, to ensure the swift and effective removal of illegal and potentially hazardous products from store shelves.

 

Lynne Neagle, Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, has stated that this measure will assist consumers in avoiding the harm caused by these products and safeguard legitimate businesses in Wales.

 

She stated:

 

The supply of illegal e-cigarettes in Wales is absolutely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. It is a complex and widespread issue that impacts every community in Wales. The funding we provide will assist law enforcement officials in stopping the sale of illegal e-cigarettes in Wales.

 

She further stated, "These products are not only being illegally sold to children, but some of them may also be harmful to their health, with excessive levels of dangerous chemicals and harmful metals such as lead." According to her findings, "Illegal e-cigarettes are associated with crime and exploitation of children. The key is to strengthen law enforcement efforts to reduce children's access to these products and prevent them from being abused.

 

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

2Firsts “Decisive 2026” Concludes: Reviewing the 2025 U.S. Market and Mapping Compliance Pathways Ahead
2Firsts “Decisive 2026” Concludes: Reviewing the 2025 U.S. Market and Mapping Compliance Pathways Ahead
2Firsts hosted “Decisive 2026” in Shenzhen, bringing together industry perspectives to examine major shifts in the U.S. new tobacco market in 2025 and their global implications. Sessions covered U.S. market dynamics, technical insights from recently PMTA-authorized products, an investor lens on tobacco capital markets, and 2025 news/product highlights. The event underscored a structural shift from “gray business” toward compliance and sustainable growth, expected to become clearer by 2026.
Jan.09
Canada: “I Want My Pouches” launches during National Non-Smoking Week to push easier adult access to nicotine pouches
Canada: “I Want My Pouches” launches during National Non-Smoking Week to push easier adult access to nicotine pouches
Canadian consumer advocacy group I Want My Pouches announced its launch during National Non-Smoking Week, calling for straightforward, consistent and practical adult access to nicotine pouches.
Jan.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Costa Rica Ruling Party Lawmaker Proposes Vape Ban as Experts Warn of Black Market Risks
Costa Rica Ruling Party Lawmaker Proposes Vape Ban as Experts Warn of Black Market Risks
A lawmaker from Costa Rica’s ruling party has introduced a bill to completely ban e-cigarettes and related products, covering their import, sale, use, and manufacturing, citing rising youth use and associated health risks. The proposal would repeal the current regulatory law and has raised concerns that a full ban, combined with weak enforcement, could fuel a black market.
Dec.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Smoking Rate Drops to 17.9%, Vaping Rate Climbs to 9.3% in South Korea
Smoking Rate Drops to 17.9%, Vaping Rate Climbs to 9.3% in South Korea
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released its 2025 Community Health Survey results covering more than 230,000 adults. Traditional cigarette smoking dropped to 17.9%, down 1 percentage point from last year, while e-cigarette use increased to 9.3%, up 0.6 points. Overall tobacco product use stood at 22.1%, a slight decline from 2024 but still 0.5 points higher than 2019.
Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
JT Partners with Japan’s Year-End Music Festivals, Unveils Eight Limited-Edition Ploom AURA Front Panels
JT Partners with Japan’s Year-End Music Festivals, Unveils Eight Limited-Edition Ploom AURA Front Panels
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) will partner with two major year-end music festivals in Japan to set up “Ploom LOUNGE” smoking areas on-site, offering trial experiences of its Ploom AURA heated tobacco device. The company will also launch eight festival-exclusive front panels for Ploom AURA, distributed through on-site exchanges and a member lottery program.
Dec.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Poland to ban “characterising flavours” in heated tobacco sticks from Jan. 18, 2026
Poland to ban “characterising flavours” in heated tobacco sticks from Jan. 18, 2026
Poland will implement an amended health protection law on January 18, 2026, restricting the availability of tobacco inserts used in heated tobacco devices. The new rules prohibit products with a “characterising flavour,” meaning a clearly noticeable taste or smell other than tobacco, derived from additives and detectable before or during use.
Jan.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai