UK Takes Action Against Illegal E-cigarette Sales

Apr.18.2023
UK Takes Action Against Illegal E-cigarette Sales
UK government takes action against illegal e-cigarette sales and criticizes companies for advertising to children.

On April 18th, according to Sky News, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized e-cigarette companies for advertising that appeals to children during an interview with the news outlet. He also stated that the government has taken action to combat illegal e-cigarette sales.


Rishi Sunak | Photo source: Politico


Criticism of E-cigarette Advertising


During an interview with Sky News, Sunak criticized e-cigarette companies for targeting children with colorful advertising and characters.


He told the host:


These e-cigarette advertisements aim to attract children.


This includes the colors, characters, and flavors that were used. He commented, "These are all things that should not have happened.


Sunak believes that no one under 18 should use e-cigarettes, and selling them to children is illegal. However, he acknowledged that they are aware of an increasing number of young people using e-cigarettes.


He went on to say:


We want to prevent this situation.


Crackdown on the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes.


The British government has recently announced that it will launch an "illegal e-cigarette enforcement team" as part of efforts to crack down on the illegal sale of e-cigarettes to minors under the age of 18.


Therefore, we are engaged in a few endeavors. One of them involves the formation of a task force specifically aimed at cracking down on illicit activities.


According to Sunak, the British government has invested millions of pounds to ensure the proper enforcement of regulations and prevent the sale of e-cigarettes to young people. He also emphasized that anyone who sells e-cigarettes to minors will face consequences, while those who sell to adults will take responsibility for any harmful effects caused.


Seeking the opinions of the public.


In addition, the UK government has launched an "evidence gathering" campaign to research ways to reduce children's exposure to and use of e-cigarette products.


Surnack added that the government is also seeking the best ideas from people to prevent children from using e-cigarettes.


You know, we spend time talking to people, listening, gathering ideas, and then making the right decisions.


Further reading:


The Guardian: 73% of e-cigarette liquids in the UK exceed the permitted levels, with 8 zero nicotine products found to contain nicotine during testing.


The UK is planning to crack down on illegal e-cigarettes. The industry association has said that it will provide the necessary resources to support this effort.


The UK government will allocate £3 million to establish a law enforcement team to crack down on shops that sell e-cigarettes to minors.


Reference(s):


Chancellor Rishi Sunak has criticized companies that manufacture and sell vape products for attempting to appeal to children.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Bangkok Police Bust Illegal E-Cigarette Warehouse, Seize Vapes Worth Over $112,000
Bangkok Police Bust Illegal E-Cigarette Warehouse, Seize Vapes Worth Over $112,000
Thai police raided an illegal e-cigarette warehouse, arrested a man accused of selling vapes online, and seized a large quantity of improperly imported products worth more than 4 million baht (about $112,000).
Dec.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia's Finance Ministry Proposes Regional Vape Sales Bans from 2026
Russia's Finance Ministry Proposes Regional Vape Sales Bans from 2026
Russian Finance Ministry has drafted amendments allowing regional governments to ban the retail sale of vapes and e-liquids between September 1, 2026, and September 1, 2031. Regions must enact their own legislation and notify the Federal Service for Alcohol and Tobacco Control (Rosalkogoltabakkontrol), which will publish a list of participating regions.
Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Kenya Court of Appeal Halts BBC Defamation Case Linked to BAT Bribery Documentary
Kenya Court of Appeal Halts BBC Defamation Case Linked to BAT Bribery Documentary
Kenya’s Court of Appeal has paused the defamation proceedings filed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula against the BBC. The case centers on a 2015 BBC documentary, Panorama: The Secret Bribes of Big Tobacco, which alleged that Wetang’ula received unlawful benefits from British American Tobacco (BAT) during his tenure as a senator.
Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis to hold public hearings on e-cigarette use in the 2026 spring session
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis to hold public hearings on e-cigarette use in the 2026 spring session
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis will hold public hearings regarding the use of e-cigarettes. The topic has been included in the 2026 spring session work plan of the Milli Majlis Committee on Agrarian Policy. During the spring session, the committee plans to convene a public hearing titled “Health is our goal: an end to e-cigarettes.”
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive | China Releases E-Cigarette Regulatory “Status Report”, First Comprehensive Disclosure of Oversight Framework and International Cooperation
Exclusive | China Releases E-Cigarette Regulatory “Status Report”, First Comprehensive Disclosure of Oversight Framework and International Cooperation
As 2025 draws to a close, China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration has released a white paper–style “Status Report” on e-cigarette regulation, systematically outlining its oversight framework, enforcement outcomes and international cooperation. 2Firsts provides exclusive in-depth reporting and analysis, offering insight into China’s regulatory logic and governance direction.
Dec.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Malaysia’s Perak Health Department says seized vape-related items valued at RM2,738 during two-week operation
Malaysia’s Perak Health Department says seized vape-related items valued at RM2,738 during two-week operation
Malaysia’s Perak State Health Department said it carried out a two-week joint enforcement operation from January 1 to 14, 2026, in line with the state government’s policy prohibiting renewals of vape sales licences effective January 1.
Jan.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai