Police Raid Four Shops in Leyland, Seize Illegal Tobacco

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai

Nov.17.2023

Police Raid Four Shops in Leyland, Seize Illegal Tobacco

Lancashire Telegraph reports that Leyland police conducted raids on four local stores, seizing £50k worth of illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes in Operation Centurion.

According to a report by the British media outlet, Lancashire Telegraph, on November 16th, the Leyland police in the UK conducted surprise searches at four local stores based on public tips, as part of "Operation Centurion." As a result of the operation, illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes valued at nearly £50,000 (approximately $62,000) were seized.

According to Mike Moys, the captain of Leyland South Ribble Community Police Team, the team is committed to enhancing the sense of safety and the living and working environment in the community and will work closely with the community.

References:

[1] Almost £50,000 in illegal cigarettes and vapes seized by police

Also Read:

[1] Economist: UK E-cigarettes is Huge Business but Indicates Strengthened Regulation

#Illegal e-cigarettes #E-cigarette shops

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

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure

NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets is calling for more FDA marketing authorizations, greater transparency in the PMTA process and continued enforcement against unauthorized e-cigarettes, even as its executive director, David Spross, points to recent regulatory developments as signs of progress. At the state level, excise taxes, flavor restrictions and vapor product directories remain major issues for tobacco retailers. By August 2026, 17 states had enacted laws establishing state-managed e-cigarette directories or similar systems.

Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives

2Firsts First Look｜China to End VAT Export Rebates on Vape Devices and Nicotine in April 2027, Following Earlier Removal for HTP Devices and Nicotine Vapes

2Firsts First Look｜China to End VAT Export Rebates on Vape Devices and Nicotine in April 2027, Following Earlier Removal for HTP Devices and Nicotine Vapes

China's Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration announced on October 12, 2026, that value-added tax (VAT) export rebates for vape devices, nicotine and its salts, and certain non-combustible inhalation products will be eliminated from April 1, 2027. The measure adds four tobacco- and nicotine-related customs codes, including 8543400010, which covers vape devices and qualifying empty pods. China previously eliminated rebates for nicotine-containing vaping products and devices under code 8543400090 in April 2026. According to industry classification information held by 2Firsts, the latter currently corresponds to heated tobacco devices. Export excise tax refund and exemption arrangements will remain unchanged.

Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027

Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027

Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 1259 on October 15, 2026, increasing excise stamp production fees for tobacco products and e-cigarette liquids by approximately 30.5%, from UAH 0.1643 to UAH 0.2144 per stamp. Fees for alcoholic beverages rose by about 30.2%. Separately, Ukraine's parliament passed Bill No. 15532 on October 13, proposing to postpone the full implementation of electronic excise stamps and traceability for alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarette liquids from November 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027. Parliament cited additional testing, configuration and integration requirements. The bill was sent to the president for signature on October 19.

AIR Global Starts Debt Refinancing Four Months After Nasdaq Listing With About $400 Million Notes Expected

AIR Global Starts Debt Refinancing Four Months After Nasdaq Listing With About $400 Million Notes Expected

AIR Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of AIR Global, has launched an offering of U.S. dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes, with proceeds primarily intended to repay its existing term loan and revolving credit facility. AIR has not disclosed the final size, maturity or coupon; Refinitiv, citing Moody's, reported an expected issuance of approximately $400 million and a Ba3 rating. AIR had about $412.4 million outstanding under the two bank facilities at June 30 and net debt of $344.8 million. In the first half of 2026, AIR's Al Fakher-led flavored shisha molasses business generated about 99% of company revenue, while New Growth Categories including Crown Switch produced $2.2 million in revenue and remained loss-making on an adjusted EBITDA basis.

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%

South Korea's government unveiled its first Tobacco Harm Management Basic Plan for 2027–2031 on October 29, 2026, proposing broader testing of vaping and heated tobacco products while excluding nicotine analogs such as 6-methyl nicotine. Synthetic nicotine came under tobacco regulation on April 24, and a June investigation found 6-methyl nicotine in 12 liquid inhalation products marketed as nicotine-free. Customs data released in September showed that imports of nicotine analog solutions fell 83.3%, from 12 metric tons in January–April to 2 metric tons in May–August. By September 20, imports had reached approximately 15 metric tons for the year, with 99.99% originating from China. Customs authorities have tightened pre-clearance testing and supply-chain documentation requirements, while the MFDS expects to complete its assessment of nicotine analog hazards by the end of 2026.

Iowa Sets November 16 Vape Directory Launch: Unlisted Products Face Sales Ban, Manufacturers $1,000 Daily Fines per Product

Iowa Sets November 16 Vape Directory Launch: Unlisted Products Face Sales Ban, Manufacturers $1,000 Daily Fines per Product

Iowa plans to publish its first vapor products directory on November 16, 2026, after which products not listed will be prohibited from sale or offer for sale in the state. The Department of Revenue expects to begin penalty enforcement on December 17, following an initial 21-business-day period focused on compliance education. Under House File 2677, retailers, distributors and wholesalers selling unlisted products face civil penalties of $300 per product per day, while manufacturers face $1,000 per product per day. Eligibility extends to FDA-authorized products and certain products meeting historical marketing and pending PMTA requirements. The directory program resumed after a federal appeals court vacated a preliminary injunction in July 2026.

Related Topics

News Regulation

Related Read

NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure

NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure

2Firsts Perspectives

2Firsts First Look｜China to End VAT Export Rebates on Vape Devices and Nicotine in April 2027, Following Earlier Removal for HTP Devices and Nicotine Vapes

2Firsts First Look｜China to End VAT Export Rebates on Vape Devices and Nicotine in April 2027, Following Earlier Removal for HTP Devices and Nicotine Vapes

Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027

Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027

AIR Global Starts Debt Refinancing Four Months After Nasdaq Listing With About $400 Million Notes Expected

AIR Global Starts Debt Refinancing Four Months After Nasdaq Listing With About $400 Million Notes Expected

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%

Iowa Sets November 16 Vape Directory Launch: Unlisted Products Face Sales Ban, Manufacturers $1,000 Daily Fines per Product

Iowa Sets November 16 Vape Directory Launch: Unlisted Products Face Sales Ban, Manufacturers $1,000 Daily Fines per Product