Illegal E-cigarette and Tobacco Products Worth £10,000 Seized in UK

Sep.09.2024
Illegal E-cigarette and Tobacco Products Worth £10,000 Seized in UK
UK authorities seize £10,000 worth of illegal e-cigarettes and tobacco products in Weston-super-Mare. Police investigation ongoing.

According to ITV's report on September 8th, British authorities in Weston-super-Mare seized illegal e-cigarettes and tobacco products worth £10,000.


Recently, the Avon and Somerset Police collaborated with the North Somerset Council's trading standards team to seize a total of 656 packs of illegal cigarettes, 132 packs of hand-rolled tobacco, and 383 illegal e-cigarettes. Some of the seized products were found to be associated with the e-cigarette brand "ELUX".


All the confiscated illegal tobacco products had not paid the UK tobacco product tax, and further investigation into these shops is still in the early stages.


The Police Inspector Jonathan Murray from the AyerWeng Police Department stated that,


Thanks to the careful planning and implementation of a collaborative multi-agency operation, we successfully cleared nearly £10,000 worth of illegal tobacco and e-cigarette products from the streets of North Somerset. Selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime. Legitimate businesses suffer as a result, and the sale of counterfeit goods is also linked to funding serious organized crime, causing harm to our community. Therefore, we adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal trading.


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

EU ‘TPD3’ Enters Next Phase on Aug. 14 as Fragmented Vape and Nicotine Pouch Rules Push the Single Market Toward Regulatory Overhaul
EU ‘TPD3’ Enters Next Phase on Aug. 14 as Fragmented Vape and Nicotine Pouch Rules Push the Single Market Toward Regulatory Overhaul
A 12-week European Commission consultation on revising the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive is due to close on Aug. 14, 2026. The Commission has identified e-cigarette flavours, disposable vapes, tobacco heating devices, nicotine pouches, nicotine-free e-cigarettes, packaging and digital marketing among areas for possible new EU rules. National regulations already vary significantly across the bloc, a fragmentation the Commission says creates internal-market barriers and distorts competition. No formal revised TPD/TAD legislative text has yet been published, with the Commission currently indicating December 2026 for the legislative initiative.
Aug.14
UK HMRC Urges Public to Report Suspicious Vape Shops in Crackdown on Tax Fraud, Money Laundering and Illicit Tobacco Sales
UK HMRC Urges Public to Report Suspicious Vape Shops in Crackdown on Tax Fraud, Money Laundering and Illicit Tobacco Sales
HM Revenue & Customs is urging members of the public to report vape shops, barber shops and other high-street businesses suspected of tax fraud, money laundering or other illegal activity, with informants not required to provide personal details. HMRC plans more than 30,000 interventions in 2026-27 targeting tax fraud, organised crime and illicit activity, including the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco. The push forms part of a broader UK effort to tackle organised crime on high streets, backed by a £30 million government enforcement programme.
Regulations
Aug.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Philippines Weighs Unified Vape Tax as Lawmakers Back Risk-Based Rates and Government Seeks to Fill ₱66 Billion Revenue Gap
Philippines Weighs Unified Vape Tax as Lawmakers Back Risk-Based Rates and Government Seeks to Fill ₱66 Billion Revenue Gap
Philippine lawmakers are considering an overhaul of the country's vape excise-tax regime to eliminate the wide gap between taxes on nicotine salt and freebase nicotine liquids and reduce incentives for misdeclaration. House Bill 5364, filed by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr., would impose a unified ₱10-per-milliliter tax on vapor products, with 5% annual increases beginning in 2027. Rodriguez says the proposal could generate an average ₱6 billion in annual collections from 2027 through 2030. The debate comes as the Philippine government considers tobacco, vape and other health-tax reforms to help offset around ₱66 billion in revenue expected to be forgone under a proposed tax-relief package.
Aug.18
EU Trade Department Faces Scrutiny Over Contacts With Tobacco Industry
EU Trade Department Faces Scrutiny Over Contacts With Tobacco Industry
European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho has opened an inquiry into how the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade handles interactions with the tobacco industry. The case follows a complaint from a civil society organisation that alleges regular, unnecessary and non-transparent contacts between DG TRADE and tobacco industry representatives, raising questions over compliance with the EU’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The inquiry remains ongoing, and the Ombudswoman has not reached any finding of maladministration.
Aug.24
Product | BAT Launches glo Hyper pro+ in Japan, Upgrading the Hyper Platform With Faster Start and Smart Device Management
Product | BAT Launches glo Hyper pro+ in Japan, Upgrading the Hyper Platform With Faster Start and Smart Device Management
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) has introduced glo Hyper pro+, an upgraded device within the existing glo Hyper platform. The device adds QuickStart™ rapid heating technology, an EasyView™ display and maintenance notification features to improve daily usability. Launched in Japan on July 13, 2026, glo Hyper pro+ maintains compatibility with existing Hyper-format tobacco sticks, including neo, Lucky Strike and KENT.
Jul.30
JTI’s Nordic Spirit Signs Co-op Live Partnership Ahead of New UK Nicotine Sponsorship Restrictions
JTI’s Nordic Spirit Signs Co-op Live Partnership Ahead of New UK Nicotine Sponsorship Restrictions
JTI nicotine pouch brand Nordic Spirit has entered a long-term partnership with Manchester’s Co-op Live, becoming the venue’s Official Nicotine Pouch Partner. The 23,500-capacity venue is the UK’s largest indoor live entertainment arena. Nordic Spirit will run in-venue activations for existing adult nicotine consumers and sell products at selected arena bars. The agreement was entered into before the relevant UK sponsorship restrictions were introduced, while the government intends to implement a comprehensive ban on advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products from June 1, 2027.
Sep.07