UK Trading Standards Seize Over 300,000 Counterfeit Products

Dec.28.2022
UK Trading Standards Seize Over 300,000 Counterfeit Products
Kent Trading Standards seized over 300k counterfeit products, including illegal e-cigarettes with 10x the legal nicotine limit.

According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Kent Trading Standards of the UK's trading standards department seized over 300,000 counterfeit products in December.


James Whiddett, spokesperson for the UK's Trading Standards agency KTS, stated that although much of their work focuses on retail stores, they are now targeting the supply chain. He explained that they are working to prevent the distribution of devices in which the nicotine levels exceed legal limits by up to 10 times.


He stated, "Currently, the legal limit for disposable e-cigarette cartridges is 2 milliliters, which is equivalent to 600 puffs. We have seen products entering the UK with 3,500 puffs and some even with 7,000 puffs. Thus, they are illegal and cannot be provided to anyone.


He continued to state that in the past nine months, there has been a sharp rise in demand for disposable e-cigarettes in the UK.


He said, "These electronic cigarettes don't require users to add their own e-liquid, which makes them both convenient and simple. We're unsure where these illegal e-cigarettes have ended up and our investigation is ongoing.


Gillian Golden, CEO of the UK Independent Electronic Cigarette Trade Association, has stated that non-compliant electronic cigarette products are often associated with illegal sales, typically targeting underage consumers.


Gillian Golden stated that the association will continue to assist in the rigorous investigation of non-compliant transactions of electronic cigarette products.



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.

U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposal to collect foreign export declarations and other overseas customs documents could expose discrepancies in the value, classification and description of China-made vape shipments entering the United States. A veteran Chinese logistics professional told 2Firsts that the measure, if implemented, could undermine the all-inclusive shipping model used by some unauthorized vape exporters and push parts of the trade toward costlier underground channels. The risk extends beyond higher duties: accurately declared products may also be more readily identified as unauthorized e-cigarettes subject to FDA enforcement.
Special Report
Sep.07
Product | OXVA Introduces XLIM PRO 4 With Liquid-Level Anti-Burn Technology and Dedicated Pods
Product | OXVA Introduces XLIM PRO 4 With Liquid-Level Anti-Burn Technology and Dedicated Pods
Vaping brand OXVA introduced the XLIM PRO 4 refillable pod system in October 2026, featuring Anti-Burn Tech (ABT) based on smart e-liquid-level detection. The system can issue refill alerts and stop power output when e-liquid levels become too low. ABT requires the XLIM PRO 4 device and a dedicated XLIM ABT cartridge. Standard XLIM pods remain compatible but do not support ABT protection. OXVA previously introduced temperature-based anti-burn technology in the XLIM Pro 2 DNA, developed with Evolv. The new device features a 1,800mAh battery, 5–30W output and a 0.98-inch HD color screen. OXVA's official store lists the device at $37.90 and dedicated ABT replacement cartridges at $12.99. Independent testing confirmed the low-liquid protection response but recorded varying cartridge lifespans.
product
Oct.30
Product | JT Refreshes Ploom CUBE Design and Expands Japan Retail Distribution, Targeting Younger Men and Female Users
Product | JT Refreshes Ploom CUBE Design and Expands Japan Retail Distribution, Targeting Younger Men and Female Users
Japan Tobacco (JT) launched a refreshed Ploom CUBE design in Japan on September 8, 2026, with broader convenience-store and tobacco-retail distribution planned from October 13. The updated device retains the existing Rounded Cube form and heating platform while replacing four previous body colors with Pebble White and Cobalt Black. JT is also introducing new Front Panels and Fabric Back Covers, although the new accessories are not compatible with the previous Ploom CUBE design. The company says the update is intended to broaden appeal among younger male and female users.
Sep.09
Pennsylvania Lists 163 Vape Products Eligible for Sale, Including Vuse and JUUL; Previously Pending Chinese Brands Such as OXBAR Remain Absent, While Unlisted Products Including Geek Bar Face Enforcement From October 19
Pennsylvania Lists 163 Vape Products Eligible for Sale, Including Vuse and JUUL; Previously Pending Chinese Brands Such as OXBAR Remain Absent, While Unlisted Products Including Geek Bar Face Enforcement From October 19
Pennsylvania begins enforcing its electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) directory restrictions on October 19, 2026. The October 18 directory contained 163 product records from seven manufacturers, including Vuse, JUUL, NJOY, Logic and Naked 100. Geek Bar, RAZ and Lost Mary were absent. BAT, Altria, Japan Tobacco and JUUL collectively accounted for 112 records, or 68.7%, while Imperial Brands' blu had no listings. The directory included 15 disposable vape records, 40 bottled e-liquids and 10 products labeled 0mg, but no open-system refillable devices. Twenty-two manufacturer certifications remained under review. Four Logic models corresponding to Smoore's pending records were listed under the brand owner, while LYCO, OXBAR and Boulder/Rock had no approved directory entries.
Regulations
Oct.19
Indiana Halts Sales of Elf Bar, Lost Mary, MR FOG and iJOY Vapes Under Foreign-Adversary Rules; Some Products Return After Compliance Filings
Indiana Halts Sales of Elf Bar, Lost Mary, MR FOG and iJOY Vapes Under Foreign-Adversary Rules; Some Products Return After Compliance Filings
Indiana's Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) ordered tobacco certificate holders in September to remove certain vaping products marketed under Elf Bar, Lost Mary, MR FOG, iJOY and other brands from inventory under the state's foreign-adversary product law. The agency later listed 257 MR FOG products and 77 Lost Mary product entries as lawful for sale. The Lost Mary revision expressly stated that compliance evidence had been received for 20 additional products. 2Firsts compliance expert Kurt said potential filings could include e-liquid and ingredient-origin records, U.S. nicotine-analog supply-chain documentation and FDA premarket application status.
Regulations
Oct.08
Sweden Finds ZYN Ingredient Labels Noncompliant Over Generic Flavoring Disclosure, Swedish Match Faces SEK 2 Million Monthly Penalty
Sweden Finds ZYN Ingredient Labels Noncompliant Over Generic Flavoring Disclosure, Swedish Match Faces SEK 2 Million Monthly Penalty
Sweden's Public Health Agency has found ingredient labels on ZYN nicotine pouches sold by Philip Morris International subsidiary Swedish Match to be noncompliant, according to Dagens industri. The products' packaging listed 10 to 13 ingredients, compared with 11 to 42 in regulatory submissions, with multiple flavoring ingredients grouped under the generic term "aromer." The agency ordered corrective action, warning of a conditional penalty of SEK 2 million per month for noncompliance. The order applies only to products manufactured after the decision becomes legally effective and does not require recalls. Swedish Match disputes the agency's interpretation and plans to appeal.
PMI
Oct.22