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.



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.

Argentina’s New Nicotine Rules Draw Cautious Optimism and Market Concerns, Local Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate Says
Argentina’s New Nicotine Rules Draw Cautious Optimism and Market Concerns, Local Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate Says
Argentina’s new tobacco and nicotine framework marks a shift from prohibition toward registration, traceability and health surveillance. Argentine THR advocate Juan Facundo Teme told 2Firsts that adult consumers and parts of the local commercial sector are cautiously optimistic, but concerns remain over flavor limits, registration costs and market access. The policy’s implementation may determine whether Argentina can move informal sales into regulated channels.
May.11
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
According to an investigative report by Euromaidan Press, a Ukrainian English-language independent media outlet, Russian businessman Oleg Boyko has been sanctioned by Ukraine, Poland, Australia and Canada, but has not been added to the European Union’s sanctions list. The report alleges that Evapify, a Polish vape distributor with financial and personal ties to Boyko, holds a significant position in Poland’s disposable vape market.
News
Jun.01
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on May 13 criticized the Trump Administration’s Food and Drug Administration for approving the sale and marketing of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for the first time, while also allowing some illegal vaping products to remain on the market. He also linked the regulatory shift to the departure of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, saying White House pressure on regulators to approve tobacco product applications could create serious public-health consequences.
Regulations
May.15
State Registries Are Reshaping U.S. Vape Market Access 2Firsts Interview with U.S. Vapor Manufacturers Association President Allison Boughner
State Registries Are Reshaping U.S. Vape Market Access 2Firsts Interview with U.S. Vapor Manufacturers Association President Allison Boughner
As the U.S. vapor market faces FDA authorizations, import seizures and growing state-level restrictions, AVM President Allison Boughner told 2Firsts that state product registries and white-list systems are having the most immediate impact. She said distributors are placing greater weight on documentation, product origin and supply-chain transparency.
Special Report
May.26
One Year After UK Disposable Vape Ban: Youth Use Falls to 13%, Adult Use to 8%
One Year After UK Disposable Vape Ban: Youth Use Falls to 13%, Adult Use to 8%
among both youth and adults. However, industry groups and regulators warn that the illicit vape market remains a growing concern.
Jun.09
Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%
Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%
According to the latest CAN report and multiple media reports, Sweden’s daily smoking rate fell to 4.8% in 2025, below the commonly used 5% smoke-free threshold, making it the first EU country to reach that benchmark.
News
Jun.05