Key Takeaways
- UK retailers called on the government to better resource Trading Standards to tackle illicit tobacco and vape trade.
- Fed national vice-president Hemanshu Patel made the call during a panel discussion at the National Convenience Show in Birmingham on April 15.
- The discussion focused on the future of vaping and the expected impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
- Patel said independent retailers feel punished while illicit traders are not, and said change will not come without government investment in enforcement resources.
- Patel also said some measures in the bill could unintentionally push adult customers toward the black market if Trading Standards support is not strengthened.
2Firsts, April 21, 2026
According to the report, UK retailers have called on the government to provide more resources to Trading Standards in order to tackle the growing trade in illicit tobacco and vapes.
Retail representative made the call at an industry event
Fed national vice-president Hemanshu Patel made the call during a panel discussion with retail experts at the National Convenience Show in Birmingham on April 15.
Discussion focused on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
The report said the discussion focused on the future of vaping and the wider impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The bill is expected to complete its parliamentary passage shortly and would introduce a generational smoking ban, retailer licensing, and tighter marketing restrictions on vape and tobacco products.
Retailers said compliant businesses feel penalized
During the panel, Patel said, “It feels like independent retailers are punished when illicit traders are not. Unless the government invests in these resources, we won’t see change.”
He also said that while tobacco sales have fallen in recent years, anecdotal evidence, supported by law enforcement and government data, suggests this is not solely due to declining smoking rates but also to growth in illicit trade.
Industry raised concerns about licensing, marketing restrictions, and the generational ban
According to the report, Patel said there were concerns about the bill’s licensing measures, marketing restrictions, and generational ban, particularly without stronger Trading Standards support. The Fed has previously said it is open to some aspects of the legislation.
Retailers warned some changes could push adults to the black market
Commenting after the event, Patel said the goal of stopping smoking and vaping among children was right, but some of the changes in the bill could unintentionally push adult customers to the black market. He added that the sector would continue calling on the government to do more in this area in the coming months.
Image source: Better Retailing
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