According to a report by the BBC on May 28th, the Oxfordshire County Council has recently issued guidelines to help the public identify illegal activities. This comes in response to the seizure of 10,000 illegal e-cigarettes in the county. The crackdown on illegal behavior reflects a nationwide trend and is a response to safety risks, as well as in line with the government's plans to ban these devices.
The government has stated that there is evidence showing that these disposable illegal e-cigarettes are being sold by organized crime groups. Meanwhile, data from the anti-smoking group ASH shows that 7.6% of adolescents aged 11 to 17 now regularly or occasionally use e-cigarettes, a sharp increase from 4.1% in 2020.
The government also advises the public to inspect e-cigarette packaging for potential "tell-tale signs" that may indicate illegal properties. Dr. Nathan Ley, an expert in public health, inequality, and community safety, stated that rechargeable e-cigarettes are a "practical tool for adult smokers to quit smoking.
However, he emphasized that due to the highly addictive nature of nicotine and its long-term impact on health, children and non-smokers should not use these devices.
The head of the government trade standards team, Jody Kerman, stated, "There is clear evidence that illegal e-cigarettes are now being intentionally sold by organized crime gangs." She said, "We have recently uncovered a worrying but predictable trend, where criminal gangs are using fairly sophisticated methods, such as electromagnetic blocking devices, to try to evade detection.
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