Police in Kent County seize illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes

Aug.07.2024

Kent police raided eight shops in Gravesend, uncovering illegal e-cigarettes, untaxed cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and tobacco hidden in secret compartments.

According to a report by the BBC on August 6th, Kent Police discovered illegal e-cigarettes, untaxed cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and tobacco in eight shops in Gravesend, England.

These illegal items were found hidden behind a false wall and in other concealed areas of the store.

On Monday (5th), Kent Police, Kent Trading Standards, and the licensing department of Gravesham Borough Council conducted surprise inspections of these shops.

A police spokesperson stated that the authorities seized 881 illegal e-cigarettes, 44,180 illegal cigarettes, 126 nicotine pouches, and 8.65 kilograms of tobacco, as well as 103 packets of shisha.

Police Inspector Kirsty Dunne stated that...

This operation demonstrates the severity of the issue and the 'extreme measures' people take to avoid being caught. Selling illegal cigarettes and tobacco poses serious health risks to consumers and hinders law-abiding businesses.

In June, according to survey data released by Vape Superstore, one third of e-cigarettes sold in the UK between January 1st and February 29th 2023 did not meet regulations. Kent County Council confiscated the highest number of illegal e-cigarettes in the UK, totaling 431,005. Many of these illegal e-cigarettes entered through the European tunnel terminals and the port of Dover.

References:

[1] Illegal cigarettes found behind fake walls

Also Read:

[1] Kent County Trade Standards Department Seizes Over 14,500 E-cigarettes

[2] Rising Concerns Over Illegal E-Cigarette Sales in the UK.

[3] Surge in Illegal E-Cigarettes in Kent County, UK

[4] Kent County Council to Combat Illegal E-Cigarette Sales to Teenagers

#Europe #Law enforcement #United Kingdom #Illegal e-cigarettes

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | NEXA FLEX Releases “Built in the USA” Version, Says All Flavors Are Tailored for Adult U.S. Users

NEXA has introduced a disposable e-cigarette, NEXA FLEX, which is promoted as “Built in the USA,” highlighting domestic production and flavors developed for adult U.S. vaping consumers. The device retains features such as a transparent e-liquid chamber, Normal/Turbo dual modes, and up to 40,000 puffs, and is scheduled to launch in late November in Texas. Other brands, including SKE and FASTA, have also recently released products labeled as “Made in the USA” or “U.S.-assembled.”

Nov.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Philippine DOH Calls for Nationwide Vape Ban Amid Surging Youth Use

The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) has warned that youth vaping has reached alarming levels. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa stressed that despite regulations limiting vaping to adults aged 18 and above, minors—many in school uniforms—are frequently seen using vape devices. Criticizing the industry’s youth-targeted marketing tactics, Herbosa said the government should consider a nationwide total ban on vape products.

Nov.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Nicoventures Granted Rehearing After Philip Morris Challenge Rejected

Nicoventures Trading Ltd., a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT), has won an appeal at the European Patent Office (EPO), convincing the appellate board that examiners had violated its right to be heard by failing to review all of its submissions.

Dec.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Study: TikTok Content Frames Nicotine Pouches as “Trendy Accessories,” Diluting Risk Perception Among Youth

A study published in JMIR Formative Research analyzed 132 TikTok videos related to nicotine pouches and found that platform content predominantly presents these products as a “youthful trend” rather than as smoking cessation tools. Health risks are underrepresented, the user base appears largely male, and this portrayal may influence how adolescents perceive the risks associated with nicotine products.