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.

Indonesia’s vape retailers adopt 21+ signage and ID verification requirements, report says
Indonesia’s vape retailers adopt 21+ signage and ID verification requirements, report says
RetailNews Asia reported that the Association of Indonesian Vape Retailers (Arvindo) has directed member stores to stop selling e-cigarettes to people under 21 and to display 21+ signage and verify customer age using valid identification.
Feb.27
Russia’s Rostov Region Eyes Full Vape Sales Ban, Signals Tighter Tobacco Retail Rules
Russia’s Rostov Region Eyes Full Vape Sales Ban, Signals Tighter Tobacco Retail Rules
Russia’s Rostov region is preparing to pursue a region-wide ban on vape sales and is also signaling support for broader regional powers to tighten tobacco retail rules. A regional lawmaker said the initiative aligns with a State Duma bill that would allow regions to impose vape sales bans—an initiative he said has presidential backing.
Jan.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippines DOH reiterates: vaping is not safer than smoking, citing irreversible health risks
Philippines DOH reiterates: vaping is not safer than smoking, citing irreversible health risks
The Philippine Department of Health reiterated Saturday that vaping should not be promoted as an alternative to cigarette smoking, Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa said in a radio interview, according to the Tribune. Herbosa said both vaping and smoking pose irreversible health risks and cited E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), claiming it led to the death of a 22-year-old male with no smoking history in 2025.
Feb.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
France drops a vaping clause from the 2026 finance bill after use of Article 49.3
France drops a vaping clause from the 2026 finance bill after use of Article 49.3
A provision in France’s 2026 finance bill intended to regulate vaping products was abandoned after Sébastien Lecornu used Article 49.3 on January 20 to commit the government’s responsibility on the “revenue” section of the state budget.
Jan.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Daegu Jung-gu: liquid e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine to be fined in nonsmoking areas under revised Tobacco Business Act
Daegu Jung-gu: liquid e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine to be fined in nonsmoking areas under revised Tobacco Business Act
Daegu’s Jung-gu District announced on Feb. 10 that, following amendments to the Tobacco Business Act that explicitly classify liquid e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine as “tobacco” (effective April 24, 2026), the district will expand regulations to include fines for vaping such products in designated nonsmoking areas. The district health office said smokers/vapers could face an administrative fine of up to 100,000 won for using synthetic-nicotine liquid e-cigarettes in smoke-free zones
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Report says illegal vapes “threaten UK high streets” as 55% of councils seized thousands last year
Report says illegal vapes “threaten UK high streets” as 55% of councils seized thousands last year
The latest annual Illegal Vapes and Nicotine Product Report says nearly 5 million illegal vapes have been seized over the last three years—equivalent to three seized every minute—with a street value of £39m (USD equivalent not provided in the source; exchange-rate basis not stated). It says 1.3 million were seized last year and that 55% of UK council areas seized thousands of illegal products over the year.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai