Surge in Illegal E-Cigarettes in Kent County, UK

According to a recent report by BBC on September 18th, the number of illegal e-cigarettes seized in Kent County, UK, has witnessed a significant surge over the past three years. Since 2021, the county has confiscated nearly 400,000 illegal e-cigarettes, with a majority of them being intercepted at Dover, the busiest ferry port in Europe.

As these new data emerge, the UK government is planning to implement a ban on disposable e-cigarettes. The e-cigarette industry argues that any restriction will result in an escalation of illegal imports and sales.

According to data obtained by Retailer Vape Club through Freedom of Information legislation, the number of illegal products intercepted nationwide in the first four months of 2023 is seven times greater than the total for the entire year of 2021.

The retailer has stated that since 2021, Kent has been one of the top five regions in the UK in terms of seizure quantity, confiscating a total of 382,573 e-cigarettes, earning the county the title of "counterfeit e-cigarette import center". Between 2017 and 2023, authorities in Kent were able to confiscate one illegal e-cigarette per minute through sea and airport inspections, while areas without ports had a seizure rate five times lower.

In July of this year, members of the Kent County Council voted to ban the use of disposable e-cigarettes, citing concerns over their environmental pollution and appeal to children.

John Dunne, General Secretary of the UK e-cigarette industry association, has issued a warning regarding the recently imposed comprehensive ban on regulated disposable e-cigarettes. He further added, "A significant number of illegal, untested, and potentially deadly black market products have flooded the market, filling the void left by the ban, which is not in anyone's best interest.