Illegal E-cigarettes Seized in UK Shops Exceed 3,000.

Sep.06.2022
Illegal E-cigarettes Seized in UK Shops Exceed 3,000.
Over 3,000 illegal e-cigarettes were confiscated in the UK over the past year, with some containing dangerous levels of nicotine.

The Highland Council in the UK has reported that they have seized "significantly more than" 3,000 types of illegal electronic cigarettes in their stores over the past 12 months.


Officials from Trading Standards have issued several fixed penalty notices of £200 to those who have sold illegal e-cigarettes potentially endangering the health of users. The investigation revealed a variety of such products which pose a high risk to potential users.


According to UK law, the legal safety standard for electronic cigarette pods is 2ml, but illegal ones may have larger capacities. These illegal pods may also contain dangerous levels of nicotine.


David MacKenzie, Trade Standards Manager of the Highland Council, has revealed the challenges faced by authorities in the use of electronic cigarettes. "The recent explosive growth in sales of electronic cigarettes has presented us with various challenges. Unsafe electronic cigarettes have been found in general supply, lacking instructions and warnings, which are vital for informing people with diabetes or heart disease.


The nicotine content in some electronic cigarettes greatly exceeds legal limits. A recent example was discovered in August near Inverness.


A disposable electronic cigarette was sold from an unregistered stall, and the electronic cigarettes seized not only lacked necessary labels, instructions, and warnings, but were also found to contain "extremely high levels" of nicotine.


Retailers may be purchasing disposable electronic cigarettes designed specifically for the US market on the internet. The nicotine levels in these products may be 10 to 12 times higher than the legal level in the UK.


The latest trend in e-cigarette products indicates a huge demand for disposable e-cigarettes. These e-cigarettes are typically sold in various flavors and bright colors, making them particularly attractive to young people and children.


For children, it can also be affordable. In October of last year, an Aberdeen store sold illegal e-cigarettes that were five times the legal limit of nicotine content - each one priced at only 5 pounds.


The Highland Council Trading Standards have issued a warning stating that retailers are prohibited from selling non-compliant e-cigarettes to the public. Additionally, they cannot sell any type of e-cigarette to children.


According to data from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the number of people in the UK currently using e-cigarettes has reached a record high of 4.3 million.


In April, over 100 illegal electronic cigarettes were discovered in stores in the center of Aberdeen.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is provided solely for industry communication and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The compilation of this article is only intended for industry exchange and research.


Due to limitations in translation skills, the translated article may not fully express the original text. Please refer to the original for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign issues and positions.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us to request deletion.



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.

 Former DHS Spokesperson Analyzes CBP’s $175 Million Illegal Vape Seizure
Former DHS Spokesperson Analyzes CBP’s $175 Million Illegal Vape Seizure
The Washington Examiner published an opinion article by Tricia McLaughlin, former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and spokesperson at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arguing that the Trump administration is strengthening enforcement against illegal vape supply chains through the FDA, CBP, and DHS.
Regulations
May.25
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts held a UK vape duty stamp compliance exchange in Shenzhen on May 14, bringing together representatives from nearly 20 companies. The session addressed Vaping Products Duty, duty stamp applications, UK agency qualifications and warehousing, while introducing 2Firsts Compliance Solutions’ UK service.
Events
May.17
Korean Vape Retailers Warn of Possible Store Closures After New Tobacco Rules Take Effect
Korean Vape Retailers Warn of Possible Store Closures After New Tobacco Rules Take Effect
South Korea’s revised Tobacco Business Act will take effect on April 24, bringing synthetic nicotine liquid vapes into the legal definition of tobacco and subjecting both retailers and manufacturers to formal regulation.
Apr.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan Tobacco Q1 2026 Financial Results: Revenue at $5.914 Billion,RRP Revenue Up 63.8% YoY
Japan Tobacco Q1 2026 Financial Results: Revenue at $5.914 Billion,RRP Revenue Up 63.8% YoY
Japanese Tobacco (JT) reports Q1 2026 revenue of 924 billion yen, a 15.2% increase; operating profit rises 24.7%.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EU Launches Online Feedback as TPD Revision Enters New Milestone
EU Launches Online Feedback as TPD Revision Enters New Milestone
The European Commission has opened an online call for evidence on revising EU tobacco products and advertising rules, marking a new phase in the TPD/TAD review. Policy options may cover novel products, flavours, packaging, digital marketing and advertising. A 2Firsts review of 855 early submissions shows rapid engagement and recurring debate over differentiated regulation, harm reduction, youth protection, illicit trade and economic impact.
Special Report
May.21
Indonesian Health Ministry Says New Vape Rules Will Cover Age Limits, Advertising, and Product Standards
Indonesian Health Ministry Says New Vape Rules Will Cover Age Limits, Advertising, and Product Standards
Indonesia’s Ministry of Health is preparing to implement regulations on electronic cigarettes, as provided for in Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024. The ministry said e-cigarettes will be regulated under provisions equivalent to those applied to conventional cigarettes, including age restrictions, advertising controls, product content standards, pictorial health warnings, and bans on use in smoke-free areas.
Apr.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai