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Kent County: England’s Hotspot for Illegal E-cigarette Sales to Minors, 391 Cases in Two Years

May.06.2025
Kent County: England’s Hotspot for Illegal E-cigarette Sales to Minors, 391 Cases in Two Years
Between 2022 and 2024, Kent County in England recorded 391 incidents of illegal e-cigarette sales to minors, the highest in the country, with nearly 900,000 illegal or non-compliant products seized. During the same period, there were 3,774 similar violations across the UK, resulting in the closure of 67 stores.

Key points:

·During the period of 2022-2024, Kent County in England had the highest number of violations in the country for illegally selling e-cigarettes to minors. 

·Kent County reported a total of 391 cases of illegal sales and confiscated nearly 900,000 illegal or non-compliant e-cigarette products. 

·Across England, there were a total of 3,774 reports of selling e-cigarettes to minors, resulting in 67 stores being temporarily or permanently closed. ·The data primarily comes from "test purchases" conducted by local regulatory agencies. 

According to a report by the BBC on May 6th, the Kent County Council Trading Standards recorded the highest number of cases of illegal e-cigarette sales to minors in England during the period of 2022-2024, with a total of 391 cases. This data was obtained through undercover test purchases conducted by teenagers in order to monitor retailers' compliance.

 

Newcastle City Council, ranked second, also recorded 215 related cases during the same period.

 

Kent County: England’s Hotspot for Illegal E-cigarette Sales to Minors, 391 Cases in Two Years
Trade standards department records the most stores selling e-cigarettes to children from 2022 to 2024 | Image source: BBC

 

KCC also seized 896,271 illegal or non-compliant e-cigarette products during the same period.

 

There are a total of 136 Trading Standards authorities in the UK, and 133 of them have responded to the BBC's Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

 

Data statistics show:

 

·Nationwide, a total of 3,774 incidents of stores selling e-cigarettes to minors have been recorded. 

·67 stores have been shut down for selling e-cigarettes to minors, some of which are temporarily closed, with some stores being inspected multiple times.

 

The above data is based on test purchases conducted by the local trade standards department and does not reflect the total retail volume or specific sales figures of e-cigarettes in a particular region.

 

Despite some stores engaging in misconduct, the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) emphasizes that the majority of professional e-cigarette retailers comply with relevant laws and only provide products and services for adult smokers.

 

British law clearly prohibits selling e-cigarettes containing nicotine to those under 18. The UK government has stated that e-cigarettes carry addictive and health risks, especially for individuals in the adolescent stage of brain development, with the impact being "particularly severe.

 

References:
[1] Kent sees highest number of incidents of vapes sold to children
Also Read:
[1] Over 6 Million Illegal E-Cigarettes Seized in England, Enforcement Upgraded
[2] UK E-cigarette Flavor Restrictions Petition Triggers Government Response and Consultation
[3] Wales’ 30K Illegal Vape Seizures in 2024 Mask Just 12% Enforcement Efficacy
[4] Vape Club Data: UK Illegal Nicotine Pouch Seizures Surge 974% in 2024
[5] UK Consumers have gradually shifted towards rechargeable products
[6] The Threat of Illegal E-cigarette Sales in Denbighshire, UK

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