The real cost to our community of illegal tobacco and vapes
Illegal tobacco and vapes undermine public health, put children at risk, and fuel addiction. Their low price encourages smoking and vaping among young people and makes quitting harder for existing users. These unregulated products may contain harmful substances and often fail safety standards, increasing fire risk and health complications. It supports organised crime and weakens efforts to reduce smoking rates across communities.
To protect our community, Trading Standards carries out unannounced inspections. Illegal or unsafe products will be confiscated, and offenders could face prosecution, fines, or the closure of their premises.
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Report illegal tobacco and vapes
Illegal tobacco
Illegal tobacco comes mainly from two sources: smuggled products or counterfeit (fake) tobacco. Common signs include non-standard green packaging, an unusual or harsh taste, and unfamiliar brands. These products are often sold at very low prices, sometimes half the cost of a genuine pack. The packaging may have spelling errors, incorrect logos, or faded colours, and the print quality on the cigarettes is often poor.
Additionally, health warnings may not be in English, might lack a picture, or have incorrect backgrounds or font sizes.
Illegal vapes and the upcoming ban
These products are often intended for sale in other countries and do not meet UK safety regulations. Common issues include oversized tanks that exceed UK legal limits for nicotine liquid and labels that falsely claim the vape contains no nicotine.
From 1 June 2025, the sale of single-use vapes will be banned in England. This is to protect public health and reduce environmental harm.
Under the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024, in addition to criminal proceedings against offenders, the following civil actions can be taken to ensure compliance:
- Fixed Monetary Penalty: A £200 fine for initial offences.
- Compliance Notice: Requires the recipient to take specified actions to prevent recurrence of the offence.
- Stop Notice: Orders immediate cessation of illegal activities; non-compliance can lead to further legal action.
- Enforcement Undertaking: A commitment by the offender to take corrective actions, subject to regulator approval.
- Cost Recovery Notice: Obligates the offender to reimburse the regulator for enforcement-related expenses.