UK Customs Seizes Illegal e-Cigarettes at Heathrow Airport

2Firsts Events by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jun.27.2023
UK Customs Seizes Illegal e-Cigarettes at Heathrow Airport
UK customs and MHRA crack down on e-cigarette products at Heathrow Airport, seizing illegal products without chance to react.

On June 27th, a reliable source informed 2FIRSTS that the UK customs, in collaboration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), conducted a thorough inspection of a large number of e-cigarette products at Heathrow Airport (LHRAirport).

 

According to the source, "This inspection was very strict, and if something was found, it was immediately confiscated without a chance to appeal." They explained that in March of this year, the MHRA and customs were already working together to enforce regulations at the LHR airport, resulting in the seizure of many products.

 

According to previous reports, trade standard departments across the UK have confiscated over 2.5 million illegal e-cigarettes in the past three years. In the town of Hounslow near Heathrow Airport, a significant point of entry for illegal trading, law enforcement officials have already seized over 1.35 million e-cigarettes. This area has been a priority for law enforcement agencies.

 

According to UK law, it is only legal to sell disposable e-cigarettes with a capacity of 2 millilitres (approximately 600 puffs). Any action exceeding this limit is considered illegal.

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Pennsylvania Vape Directory Law Survives Court Challenge From Nova Distro and Others Amid Similar Rulings Across States
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Law Survives Court Challenge From Nova Distro and Others Amid Similar Rulings Across States
A U.S. federal court upheld Pennsylvania's vape directory law on October 14, rejecting a challenge brought by Nova Distro, 101 Distributors and companies operating Tobacco Hut retail stores. Court records show that vaping accounts for about 60% of Tobacco Hut's profits and that the chain held approximately $2 million in inventory potentially subject to seizure under the law as of June 2. Pennsylvania began enforcement on October 19. The ruling follows similar appellate decisions in other states, even as new research shows that unlisted vaping products continue to account for substantial sales in states with established directories.
Regulations
Oct.22
NAS 2026 | Cliff Douglas: Risk Continuum Should Play a Central Role in Tobacco Policy
NAS 2026 | Cliff Douglas: Risk Continuum Should Play a Central Role in Tobacco Policy
Cliff Douglas, a veteran U.S. tobacco-control and public health policy figure, told NAS 2026 that the “continuum of risk” should play a central role in tobacco policy. He called for clearer market pathways, stronger risk communication, differentiated regulation and enforcement, and said possible FDA reforms to PMTA reviews could be a “welcome correction” if they create a more efficient, predictable route for scientifically substantiated lower-risk products. Read 2Firsts’ on-site coverage.
Sep.26
Germany's Four-Year Tobacco Tax Plan Heads to Parliament as BAT, JTI and PMI Push for Changes
Germany's Four-Year Tobacco Tax Plan Heads to Parliament as BAT, JTI and PMI Push for Changes
Germany's parliament is scheduled to hold a first reading of amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act on September 24. The government plans annual tax increases from 2027 through 2030 covering cigarettes, heated tobacco, vaping liquids and other categories. It expects the reform to generate €756 million in additional revenue in 2027, rising to €3.589 billion in additional annual revenue by 2030. Ahead of the parliamentary debate, the German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products, or BVTE, launched the "Tabaksteuer mit Augenmaß" campaign backed by BAT, JTI, Philip Morris, Reemtsma and wholesale and retail groups.
Sep.23
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Stalls as Malta Withholds Support Despite Backing From 26 States
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Stalls as Malta Withholds Support Despite Backing From 26 States
EU finance ministers failed to reach agreement on tobacco excise reform at the November 9, 2026 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Brussels. The Irish Council presidency's compromise secured support from 26 of the EU's 27 member states, but Malta withheld consent, preventing the Council from reaching a general approach requiring unanimity. The reform would raise minimum taxes on conventional tobacco and bring e-cigarette liquids, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches into a common EU minimum excise framework. Finland and Estonia accepted further concessions during the meeting, while the presidency proposed separating the inclusion of nicotine pouches in the framework from setting their precise minimum tax rates. Another compromise would allow ten qualifying member states until 2036 to meet certain tobacco excise requirements. Ireland intends to continue negotiations in December.
Regulations
Nov.11
Sweden Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Deal as Nicotine Pouch Duty Dispute Looms Over November 9 Meeting
Sweden Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Deal as Nicotine Pouch Duty Dispute Looms Over November 9 Meeting
Sweden is expected to oppose a European Union proposal to raise minimum tobacco excise duties, Law360 reported on October 26, 2026, citing an EU official. A provisional Council agenda dated October 23 confirms that the tobacco taxation package is scheduled for discussion at the November 9 finance ministers' meeting, where member states will seek a general approach. The proposed reforms would raise minimum taxes on conventional tobacco products and establish EU-wide excise rules for vaping liquids, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. Sweden supports harmonising tobacco taxation rules but objects to requiring nicotine pouches to bear the same minimum tax burden as certain smoking tobacco products. As EU indirect tax legislation requires unanimous Council approval, Swedish opposition could block the proposal in its current form.
Regulations
Oct.29
FDA Revises Import Alert 98-07 Rules, Bringing May Enforcement Priorities Into Unauthorized ENDS Detentions
FDA Revises Import Alert 98-07 Rules, Bringing May Enforcement Priorities Into Unauthorized ENDS Detentions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has revised the rules under Import Alert 98-07 to incorporate its May 2026 enforcement-priority policy for certain electronic nicotine delivery systems marketed without premarket authorization. The alert continues to allow detention without physical examination, or DWPE, for ENDS lacking required marketing authorization, while directing field divisions to apply the May risk-based framework. When necessary, detention or refusal decisions must also undergo review by the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products. Products including PACHA and Vuse Pro have already emerged as industry examples of the May policy, although enforcement discretion does not constitute FDA marketing authorization.
News
Sep.28 by 2Firsts Perspectives