According to Wales Online, the Welsh Parliament has lost £760,000 due to a lack of trade standards giving them the power to issue fines or fixed penalty notices to those in possession or supplying illegal e-cigarettes.
The results of the investigation have prompted industry experts to call for increased enforcement efforts, giving regulatory bodies greater enforcement powers and stricter limitations.
In 2023, there have been nearly 3000 cases of businesses holding, stocking, or selling illegal e-cigarette products. Only one-tenth of those involved have been fined, as the enforcement of fines or fixed penalty notices can only be carried out through lengthy court processes. Last year, Wales seized 55,454 illegal e-cigarettes, equivalent to selling one every ten minutes. The number has more than doubled since last year when 16,592 illegal e-cigarettes were seized.
Since 2020, the authorities in Swansea (24,889 cases), Cardiff (11,189 cases), and Newport (8,308 cases) have seized the most illegal e-cigarettes.
Since the turn of the century, Welsh local authorities have apprehended 302 illegal sellers. However, less than 1% of sellers during this period have been fined. A licensing framework for e-cigarette retailers and distributors has been launched, with the aim of allowing the government and local authorities to be involved in developing ways to prevent the black market for e-cigarettes.
Judith Parry, Chair of Trading Standards in Wales, stated, "E-cigarettes were originally seen as a smoking cessation aid. Unfortunately, we have seen a thriving illegal e-cigarette market, which is currently a major focus for trading standards. Trading standards service agencies across Wales will work closely with partner organizations to make every effort to ensure that illegal e-cigarette trade is regulated as efficiently and effectively as possible."
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