Illegal E-Cigarette Seizures in the UK Soaring; Authorities Crack Down

Industry Insight by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jun.28.2023
Illegal E-Cigarette Seizures in the UK Soaring; Authorities Crack Down
BBC reports authorities in Dover Port, UK has seized nearly 500,000 illegal e-cigarettes since the beginning of the year. Law enforcement officers recently seized 13,000 e-cigarettes containing nicotine e-liquid in excess of the allowed capacity. Customs and the MHRA have conducted strict inspections at Heathrow Airport, confiscating illegal e-cigarette products. UK authorities have seized a total of 2.5 million illegal e-cigarettes since early 2020.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports on June 28th, nearly 500,000 illegal e-cigarettes have been seized in the port of Dover, United Kingdom since the beginning of this year.

 

Law enforcement officials in Doverport have seized 13,000 e-cigarettes containing e-liquid containing nicotine, with a capacity exceeding the regulated limit by nine times within a week. According to UK law, e-cigarettes are restricted to a maximum e-liquid capacity of 2ml, equivalent to approximately 600 puffs. However, these illicit products were found to provide over 10,000 puffs, surpassing the legal capacity by more than tenfold.

 

In addition, on June 27th, an informant revealed to 2FIRSTS that UK customs, in collaboration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), conducted a strict inspection of a large number of e-cigarette products at Heathrow Airport (LHR Airport). The informant stated, "The inspection was very thorough, and any products found were immediately confiscated with no opportunity for recourse." They further explained that a joint enforcement operation had already taken place in March this year between the MHRA and customs at LHR Airport, resulting in the seizure of numerous products.

 

According to a previous report by The Guardian, after compiling public information from 125 local governments in the UK, it has been found that the UK Trading Standards Department has seized around 2.5 million illegal e-cigarettes since the beginning of 2020.

 

References:

 

Kent officials issue alert over illegal vapes amid rise in underage vaping

 

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Research Summary | NHANES Study: Smoking or E-Cigarette Use Linked to Higher Prevalence of Elevated Blood Pressure and Hypertension
Research Summary | NHANES Study: Smoking or E-Cigarette Use Linked to Higher Prevalence of Elevated Blood Pressure and Hypertension
A cross-sectional analysis based on the US NHANES 2021–2023 cycle, including 6,262 participants aged over 12, found that compared with people who neither smoke nor vape, those who smoke and/or use e-cigarettes had a higher prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. After full adjustment, smoking/vaping was associated with elevated blood pressure (aOR 1.34) and hypertension (aOR 1.46), and with a 1.05 mmHg higher diastolic blood pressure.
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Issues Draft PMTA Guidance for Flavored E-Cigarettes, Maintaining Higher Evidence Bar for Fruit and Sweet Flavors
FDA Issues Draft PMTA Guidance for Flavored E-Cigarettes, Maintaining Higher Evidence Bar for Fruit and Sweet Flavors
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 9 released a draft guidance outlining its current thinking on premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) for flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The document reiterates that fruit, candy, dessert, and other sweet-flavored e-cigarettes present a “significant public health risk” to youth and therefore face a higher evidentiary burden if manufacturers seek marketing authorization.
Mar.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EVO NXT 2026 Offers Unique Insights Into A Dynamic Industry
EVO NXT 2026 Offers Unique Insights Into A Dynamic Industry
Feb.09
NYC makers turn discarded disposable vapes into “Vape Synth” mini digital instruments
NYC makers turn discarded disposable vapes into “Vape Synth” mini digital instruments
The report says disposable vapes are sold at more than 11 million units per month and often end up in landfills after flavored nicotine juice runs out, along with lithium-ion batteries, microcontrollers, and LEDs, increasing the risk of waste fires. A New York City maker trio known as Paper Bag Team has built “Vape Synth” by cracking open spent Elf Bar cartridges—specifically the EB BC5000—and hacking them into tiny digital instruments.
Feb.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT France Confirms Full Compliance as France Implements Nicotine Pouch Ban on April 1from April 2026
BAT France Confirms Full Compliance as France Implements Nicotine Pouch Ban on April 1from April 2026
BAT France said that, under the decree of September 5, 2025 that entered into force on April 1, 2026, it has stopped commercialising its nicotine pouch products in France from that date.
Apr.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Canadians visiting Mexico warned of stricter penalties for bringing e-cigarettes or vaping devices
Canadians visiting Mexico warned of stricter penalties for bringing e-cigarettes or vaping devices
Canadians traveling to Mexico should avoid packing e-cigarettes or vaping devices, citing Canada’s travel advisory warning that tourists have been banned from bringing such items into Mexico since 2025. The advisory says customs officials could confiscate the items upon arrival and travelers could be fined or detained.
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai