On March 21st, a report submitted to the Public Protection and Community Review Committee in the UK's Lincolnshire County revealed that between April and December 2022, law enforcement officials removed 5,417 unsafe products from the market, 5,062 of which were illegal electronic cigarettes.
This includes electronic cigarettes with nicotine levels and delivery amounts exceeding legal limits (beyond the specified number of puffs). In the UK, electronic cigarettes regulations dictate that a single-use e-cigarette should have around 600 puffs.
In a recent investigation by Trading Standards, some electronic cigarette products were found to be advertised as having a capacity of 10,000 puffs, which is 16 times the limit set by UK law.
The Lincoln County Trading Standards Office conducted inspections and seized products suspected of selling illegal e-cigarettes, using intelligence gathered from officials, partner organizations, and members of the public. The items were seized for further investigation.
To assist businesses in understanding legislation regarding electronic cigarettes, the Lincolnshire Trading Standards agency has issued letters to over 100 locations throughout the county.
They have provided a range of guidelines, including how to check if e-cigarette products comply with standard nicotine capacity, e-liquid content, and draw count. They also remind retailers that such products cannot be sold to individuals under 18 years of age.
Trade standards agencies across the UK are increasingly focusing on illegal sales of electronic cigarettes to minors. In Lincolnshire, 35% of reports received regarding the illegal sale of goods to minors involve electronic cigarettes.
The department of trade standards conducted a test on underage purchases throughout the county, and approximately one-fifth of the underage volunteers were successful in purchasing electronic cigarettes.
Mark Keal, Director of the Lincoln County Trading Standards Office, has reported that in the past 18 months there has been an explosive growth in the sales of disposable electronic cigarettes. Many stores have taken advantage of this trend to make a profit, and unfortunately, many unscrupulous businesses have knowingly sold electronic cigarettes that exceed regulated limits.
Mark said: "Although stores require identification when selling cigarettes and alcohol, sellers seem to have a more relaxed attitude when it comes to electronic cigarettes. This is something we are working to address through education and enforcement.
Further reading:
Lincolnshire authorities issue warning to 300 shops in the UK for selling e-cigarettes to minors.
In Derbyshire, England, more than 8,000 illegal electronic cigarette products have been seized, with nearly a third of disposable e-cigarettes being found to be illegal.
Reference:
More than 5,000 illicit vaping devices have been confiscated from stores in Lincolnshire.
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