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

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Philip Morris Korea launched TEREA ONYX, a new tobacco stick line for IQOS ILUMA devices, on October 15, 2026. The initial products, AMANG PEARL and CALI PEARL, feature tropical-inspired flavors, Fresh Filters and capsules designed to deliver different flavor experiences before and after activation. Both are priced at KRW 4,800 per pack and are available at convenience stores nationwide and IQOS-operated stores in South Korea. The launch expands the Korean TEREA portfolio from four product lines to five, following earlier capsule tobacco stick additions in 2026.
product
Oct.23
Product | JTI Launches Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop in South Korea, Its First Dual-Color Edition
Product | JTI Launches Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop in South Korea, Its First Dual-Color Edition
JTI Korea launched the Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop limited edition in South Korea on September 1, 2026, marking the first dual-color design in the Ploom AURA range. The device combines a dark green body with teal accents and is accompanied by matching Front Panel, Back Cover and Pocket Bag accessories. The standalone device is priced at KRW 29,000, with three additional device-and-accessory bundles available. The release continues JTI Korea's use of limited colorways and interchangeable accessories to expand the Ploom AURA portfolio without introducing a new hardware platform.
Sep.03
Retail Case Study | Wisconsin Vape Market One Year After New Regulations: Johnny Vapes Reports 80% Sales Decline as Consumers Shift Online and Across State Lines
Retail Case Study | Wisconsin Vape Market One Year After New Regulations: Johnny Vapes Reports 80% Sales Decline as Consumers Shift Online and Across State Lines
According to WNCY on August 24, 2026, some independent vape retailers in Wisconsin say they have faced significant business pressure one year after new vape regulations took effect. Johnny Vapes, a retailer operating in northeast Wisconsin, said its store count fell from seven locations to four, sales declined by about 80%, and roughly 90% of its inventory was affected. Retailers said some consumers have shifted to online purchases or traveled to neighboring Michigan to buy vape products. The case highlights how local regulations can reshape retail operations, inventory management and consumer purchasing patterns.
Aug.28
Reynolds Seeks to Join Altria Lawsuit Challenging FDA PMTA Rule and Calculation of 180-Day Deadline
Reynolds Seeks to Join Altria Lawsuit Challenging FDA PMTA Rule and Calculation of 180-Day Deadline
Three R.J. Reynolds companies are seeking to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Altria subsidiaries Helix Innovations and NJOY challenging the FDA's 2021 PMTA final rule. The companies dispute how the agency uses Acceptance and Filing reviews and completeness determinations to establish when the Tobacco Control Act's 180-day decision period begins. Reynolds has also linked prolonged PMTA reviews to competition from unauthorized vaping products. The FDA, meanwhile, has been accelerating reviews and reducing its backlog.
Sep.14
Charlie’s Bets on Age-Gating and 678 PMTA Assets as U.S. Vape Enforcement Landscape Shifts
Charlie’s Bets on Age-Gating and 678 PMTA Assets as U.S. Vape Enforcement Landscape Shifts
Charlie’s Holdings said in its latest shareholder letter that it is moving to commercialize PACHA products and monetize its PMTA assets as the FDA changes enforcement priorities for unauthorized ENDS products. Thirty PACHA SKUs were previously tentatively identified for a proposed public list of products that the FDA generally does not intend to prioritize for enforcement. Charlie’s is also preparing test-market sales of age-gated flavored disposables and says it currently holds 678 PMTA-related product assets while seeking additional strategic transactions and partnerships.
Sep.11
Altria’s USSTC Starts $250 Million Kentucky Expansion, Adding More Than 200 Jobs
Altria’s USSTC Starts $250 Million Kentucky Expansion, Adding More Than 200 Jobs
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, an Altria Group company, has broken ground on an approximately $250 million manufacturing expansion in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The roughly 270,000-square-foot facility is expected to create more than 200 jobs and absorb processing, manufacturing and packaging operations currently split between Hopkinsville and Nashville, Tennessee. USSTC previously said production at its Nashville facility is expected to wind down by early 2028. The project forms part of Altria’s broader effort to modernize and consolidate its U.S. smokeless tobacco manufacturing network.
Sep.10