According to a report from Shropshirestar on November 26th, the UK's National Trading Standards (NTS) report for 2023-24 revealed that over one million illegal e-cigarettes were seized in the country during that year, an increase of 59% from the previous year. Authorities noted that these products did not meet the basic safety standards in the UK, with most of them containing excessively high levels of nicotine.
The report reveals that authorities confiscated a total of 1.19 million illegal e-cigarettes through the government-funded "Joseph Action" project, which aims to strengthen enforcement and compliance checks on e-cigarette sales. Between January and March 2024, authorities conducted 775 physical test purchases, of which 24% involved minors successfully purchasing illegal e-cigarettes.
The data was released on Tuesday (26th) as MPs prepared to vote on the Tobacco and E-cigarette Act. Health Minister Andrew Gwynne stated that the NTS report shows "just how many illegal and harmful vapes are on our streets, putting consumers and children at risk.".
"To further crack down on illicit trade of tobacco products and vapes, we are investing an extra £10 million to keep these harmful products out of the hands of kids," he said. "The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will strengthen enforcement activity, allowing trading standards to take swifter action to enforce the law, including on non-compliant products, and closing loopholes."
"The protection of communities, public health and the safeguarding of honest businesses who are struggling to compete with the flood of illegal products lies at the heart of what trading standards does," said NTS chairman Lord Bichard.
"Trading standards has seized nearly 1.2 million illegal vapes and more than £26 million worth of illicit tobacco so far," he said.
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