According to a report from Liverpoolecho on December 26th, 2024, dozens of shops in Liverpool, UK were shut down for illegally selling e-cigarettes, with a total closure time exceeding seven years.
A new study by Totally Wicked e-cigarette company has revealed that in the period from January to October 2024, Liverpool seized a total of 38,927 illegal e-cigarettes, which is a 98.37% increase compared to the 19,623 seized in 2023. A spokesperson for the company attributed this to a series of trade standards actions by Liverpool City Council. In the Northwest region, the overall number of illegal e-cigarettes seized has decreased, with 519,292 seized in 2023 compared to 310,079 seized from January to October 2024. Nationwide, enforcement efforts led to the seizure of 2.5 million illegal e-cigarettes in 2023, and 1.5 million in 2024.
In October, city enforcement officers seized £50,000 worth of illegal e-cigarettes from a store on Lodge Lane, totaling 4,672 units. This was the largest seizure conducted by the local government to date.
Between October 2023 and December 2024, Liverpool City Council seized a total of 46,188 e-cigarettes and 13,950 bottles of e-cigarette liquid, with an estimated value of £637,956. The city government also issued closure notices to 35 shops.
According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), e-cigarettes must not exceed a capacity of 2 milliliters and the maximum nicotine concentration must not exceed 20 milligrams. Ingredients such as colorants, caffeine, and taurine are prohibited in e-cigarette products. The number of puffs for disposable e-cigarettes is limited to 600 puffs. Packaging must have child-resistant features and appropriate labeling.
From October 2023 to November 2024, a total of 35 different city stores were closed for illegally selling e-cigarettes.
The CEO of Totally Wicked and Chairman of the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) stated,
Some dealers and retailers either do not know or choose not to comply with the rules. We welcome any actions that crack down on illegal e-cigarette products, as this helps protect consumers and ensure that only regulated products are available on the market. Retailers must purchase e-cigarettes from reputable, regulated dealers to ensure that the products they sell are safe.
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