UK Southeast Sees Surge in Seizures of Illegal Vapes – Single Largest Haul Nears 1,250 Units

Key Points:

• Illegal vape seizures surge in Southeast England: ~21,200 units in Sussex (2024); Surrey seizures rose 28-fold to ~14,140 since 2020.
• The largest single seizure in 2024 was in Guildford, Surrey, at nearly 1,250 units.
• Industry association calls for tougher financial penalties and more funding for trading standards; warns disposable vape ban may worsen black market activity.

According to a BBC analysis (Aug 18), Sussex Trading Standards seized around 21,200 illegal vapes in 2024, up from none in 2020. Surrey’s figures rose from about 500 in 2020 to nearly 14,140 last year.

A government spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by councils and said they are supported with “intelligence and detection.” He added that more than £69 billion has been allocated to local authorities in 2025 (covering education, transport, and public services, not solely vape enforcement).

John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association, praised the seizures but urged stronger deterrence:

“We need to hit rogue traders where it hurts—their finances—so they don’t keep breaking the law.”

He emphasized the need for more resources for Trading Standards to intensify enforcement against illegal importers, distributors, and retailers, warning that illegal vapes “pose real health and safety risks for consumers.”

FOI requests revealed Brighton & Hove seized 10,504 illegal vapes in 2024, compared with zero between 2020–2022. West Sussex and East Sussex also rose from none in 2020–2021 to 5,022 and 5,677 units respectively in 2024.

The councils said the surge reflected their commitment to public safety, especially for children, and confirmed efforts to clamp down on rogue traders.

Surrey County Council data showed Guildford recorded the largest single seizure in 2024—nearly 1,250 units.

The spike came just before the government’s ban on disposable vapes took effect in June, part of a wider crackdown on illegal vape products, some of which contain drugs or harmful chemicals.

Trading Standards officers are now empowered to seize disposable vapes, but Dunne warned the ban could push more adults to buy from the black market, worsening the problem:

“Illegal products damage the reputation of the legitimate vaping industry.”