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.

Two Malaysian Men Charged Over Illegal Import of  Vape Items at Singapore Checkpoint
Two Malaysian Men Charged Over Illegal Import of Vape Items at Singapore Checkpoint
Two Malaysian men arrested for illegally importing e-cigarettes at Woodlands Checkpoint, facing charges, court hearing on December 15. (20 words)
Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Bangladesh Approves Philip Morris Factory for Nicotine Pouches, Sparks Controversy: Regulator Says It’s “Completely Legal”
Bangladesh Approves Philip Morris Factory for Nicotine Pouches, Sparks Controversy: Regulator Says It’s “Completely Legal”
Philip Morris Bangladesh Limited (PMBL) has received approval to invest USD 5.82 million in a nicotine pouch factory in Narayanganj. Regulators say the project is legal under existing laws, while health groups argue it breaches a 2016 Supreme Court order and poses youth addiction risks.
Nov.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Illegal Vape Suppliers Move Online After Queensland Crackdown
Illegal Vape Suppliers Move Online After Queensland Crackdown
Less than two weeks after Queensland police raided and shut down tobacconists suspected of selling illegal e-cigarettes, at least one supplier has moved its business online. Flyers with QR codes advertising same-day delivery of vapes, tobacco, and nicotine pouches were found taped to electricity poles across the Gold Coast.
Dec.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New Zealand Survey Finds Adult Daily Vaping Prevalence at 11.7%, Concentrated Among Youth and Disadvantaged Groups)
New Zealand Survey Finds Adult Daily Vaping Prevalence at 11.7%, Concentrated Among Youth and Disadvantaged Groups)
A survey report released by the Public Health Communication Centre Aotearoa shows that despite New Zealand implementing stricter vaping regulations in 2025, including a ban on disposable products and tighter flavour restrictions, daily vaping rates continue to rise. The research body urges close monitoring of behavioural changes following the new rules coming into force.
Dec.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Alan Zhao: China’s High-Level Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco and Vaping Will Reshape the Global Market
Alan Zhao: China’s High-Level Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco and Vaping Will Reshape the Global Market
Alan Zhao wrote an article interpreting China's highest-level law enforcement action against illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes. He believes that this is not only an upgrade of domestic governance but will also have a profound impact on the global new tobacco supply chain and market pattern.
Dec.19
KT&G to Complete New Indonesian Factory, Its Largest Overseas Production Hub
KT&G to Complete New Indonesian Factory, Its Largest Overseas Production Hub
According to Daily Hankooki, KT&G’s new factory in Indonesia will be completed this month and is scheduled to begin operations in February 2026. Once operational, the facility will have an annual production capacity of around 35 billion cigarettes, becoming the company’s largest overseas manufacturing base.
Nov.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai