MORE than 1.2 million illegal vapes were seized across the UK last year, shocking figures show.
Unregulated devices could be full of “harmful chemicals” or contain dangerous levels of nicotine, experts warn.
The majority of the dodgy e-cigarettes (431,005) were found in Kent, where 114,727 packets of illicit cigarettes were also discovered.
“Many of them arrive through the Eurotunnel terminal and the Port of Dover”, according to Vape Superstorewho carried out the research.
This was closely followed by Anglesey in Wales, where 352,704 vapes were seized between January 2023 and February 2024.
In third place was Swansea with 154,737, then Lancashire with 54,985 and Hertfordshire with 16,062.
But 20 of the 73 councils that responded to the freedom of information request reported no vapor seizures.
Top of the list for illegal cigarettes was Carmarthenshire County Council, where police confiscated 160,000 packs.
Places that made up the remainder of the top 10 include Kent (144,727), Hertfordshire (96,823), Gloucestershire (56,845), Swansea (54,797), Warwickshire (46,255), Lancashire (31,779), Devon (31,233), Flintshire (22,032). ) and Lincolnshire (14,917).
Lancashire County Council had the highest number of companies stocking vapes on the black market – a staggering total of 132 dodgy shops, according to the data.
This was followed by Kent (85), Hertfordshire (83), Cardiff (79), Warwickshire (58), Derbyshire (55), North Ayrshire (48), Worcestershire (47), Glasgow (46) and Surrey (42).
In the UK, it is illegal to sell vaping products to anyone under 18.
The laws also cover ingredients, nicotine strength and tank capacity:
- The maximum nicotine concentration should be 20mg/ml
- E-liquid bottles should be no more than 10ml
- Vape tanks have a capacity of no more than 2ml
- Products containing nicotine must carry health warnings
- There must be a leak-proof refill mechanism
- Manufacturers must provide toxicological testing and data
- Advertising must comply with restrictions
Some of the seized products had a liquid capacity of 14ml – seven times the legal limit.
Previous studies have found that illegal devices contain high levels of toxic substances such as lead, nickel and chromium.
Exposure to all three has been linked to damage to the lungs, liver, heart, immune system and brain – as well as cancer.
Some units also contained harmful chemicals, such as those in cigarettes, also known to have significant negative impacts on health.
Scientists also found compounds called carbonyls at levels 10 times higher than those in legal vapes.
They break down into chemicals like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde when the e-liquid heats up.
Some devices, gathered at a college in Kidderminster, had higher levels than cigarettes, despite being advertised as a safer alternative to smoking.
Smoking vs. vaporize
VAPING has been touted as an effective tool for helping people quit smoking.
Although vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, the habit is not completely harmless and comes with its own set of risks.
The NHS only recommends it for adult smokers to support smoking cessation.
Doctor and author Dr Philippa Kaye told The Sun that the difference between vaping and smoking – and whether one is better than the other – is “complicated”.
“In short, vaping is better than smoking, but breathing air is better than vaping,” she said.
Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins – and at lower levels – than smoking cigarettes.
Switching to vaping significantly reduces exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and heart and circulatory diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
These diseases are not caused by nicotine, which is relatively harmless to health.
But research still links vaping to a higher risk of lung failure and disease.
Health risks of cigarettes
- Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop heart disease, stroke and lung cancer
- Smokers are at greater risk of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels
- Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging the airways and small air sacs
- Smoking can cause cancer in almost any part of the body
- It also affects general health such as mouth, eyes, immune system and fertility
Health Risks of Vaping
- Vaping can cause side effects such as throat and mouth irritation, headache, coughing and nausea.
- Can lead to tooth decay
- May harm heart health
- May cause lung disease
- May slow brain development
Read more about how vaping can affect your health here.
Sources: NHS, CDC
John Britton, professor of epidemiology at the University of Nottingham who is part of the Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Group, said: “Lead is a neurotoxin and harms brain development, chromium and nickel are allergens and metal particles in general in bloodstream can trigger blood. clotting and can exacerbate cardiovascular disease.
“Carbonyls are slightly carcinogenic and so with sustained use will increase the risk of cancer – but in legal products, the levels of all these things are extremely low, so the lifetime risk to the individual is extremely small. “
Kate Pike, director of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, added: “There are a significant number of illegal products on the market, which doesn’t help when trying to support the public health response which is to ensure products are much safer than tobacco for smokers. who want to stop smoking.
“The main concern is that young people are getting their hands on these products.
“We don’t want children or adults to get addicted to something like this.
“We know that legal vapes represent a fraction of the risk of smoking, but we don’t know what the risk is of illegal vapes.”
E-cigarettes allow you to inhale nicotine in the form of vapor rather than smoke.
They don’t burn tobacco or produce tar or carbon monoxide – two of the most dangerous elements in traditional smoking.
Thousands of people in the UK have quit smoking with the help of vapes, but the effects of long-term use are not widely understood – especially for children.
Experts fear that thousands of young people are taking up the habit early, attracted by colorful packaging, fruity flavors and cheap prices, potentially exposing themselves to counterfeit devices.
It is estimated that a third of vapes sold in the UK do not comply with regulations.
David Phillips, from Vape Superstore, said: “Vaping can be an effective way to quit smoking, but the influx of illegal vapes onto the market has created a dangerous black market that consumers are not always aware of.
“Our study shows that the illegal vape black market is a major concern across the UK, but particularly in areas such as Kent, Lancashire, Anglesey and Swansea – to name a few.
“With greater awareness about the dangers of these products, we believe consumers will be able to make more informed purchasing decisions in the future.”
How to Make Sure You’re Buying Legal Vapes
- Check authenticity
- Look for well-known brands
- Be careful with exceptionally low prices
- Ask the retailer to provide proof of compliance with the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD)
- Stay informed with the latest safety regulations and guidelines
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