Thousands of Illegal E-Cigarettes Seized in UK Ports

According to a report by the BBC, British trade standards officials intercepted thousands of illegal e-cigarettes at the Hamber Port.

The North Lincolnshire Council has reported that since 2022, they have intercepted approximately 320,000 illegal e-cigarettes worth around £2.5 million at Kellingham Port. It is said that these smoking devices are frequently intercepted at Kellingham Port, with thousands more found in stores.

The authorities used underage volunteers to attempt to purchase e-cigarettes from stores. In the latest operation, they used a 15-year-old volunteer to visit 10 shops. The selection of shops was based on intelligence from the public and tips. Out of the 10 attempts, 3 were successful. In all three cases, the e-cigarettes sold were also illegal in the UK, meaning they did not comply with safety regulations.

The Parliament has stated that it will take enforcement action against illegal shops and will send letters of praise to businesses that do not sell tobacco to individuals under the age of 15. MP John Davidson views selling tobacco to children as "unacceptable." "These illicit e-cigarettes could lead to serious health issues, and the fact that they are being sold to young people is even more concerning," he said.

He stated, "While e-cigarettes may be a helpful way to assist smokers in quitting, it is important not to encourage non-smokers to start using them. The rising number of children using e-cigarettes is concerning, and we are determined to crack down on unethical vendors. We must protect our children." The penalty for selling e-cigarettes to those under 18 can be up to £2,500 per offense. For the illegal sale or possession of e-cigarettes, the penalty can be an unlimited fine and up to two years imprisonment, or both per offense.