Brighton & Hove Council’s Trading Standards officers have recently conducted a series of visits to local businesses as part of an ongoing initiative to combat the sale of illegal vapes and e-cigarettes. The primary objective of these visits was to provide guidance and advice to businesses regarding the legislation governing vaping products and the prevention of underage sales.
Vaping devices and e-liquids are subject to stringent regulations aimed at ensuring public safety, including the control of nicotine levels and approval by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). In the UK, disposable e-cigarettes are limited to a nicotine concentration of no more than two percent (20mg/ml) and a capacity not exceeding 2ml, which roughly equates to 600 puffs.
Concerns have been raised about the presence of dangerous substances in illicit vapes, such as lead, tin, nickel, and harmful cannabis THC chemicals. Inhaling high levels of lead can cause severe damage to the central nervous system and impair brain development, particularly in children and young individuals.
During one of the visits, Trading Standards officers discovered approximately 1,000 illegal disposable e-cigarettes in a shop located in Brighton & Hove. They also seized around £2,500 worth of illicit tobacco. Most of the confiscated disposable products were equipped with oversized tanks, capable of delivering between 3,500 and 9,000 puffs.
Comparatively, it is estimated that one regular cigarette is equivalent to approximately 12.5 puffs, making a 3,500 puff e-cigarette akin to approximately 280 cigarettes in terms of nicotine intake.
Councillor Tim Rowkins, Chair of the City Environment, South Downs, and The Sea Committee, expressed his satisfaction with the efforts of Trading Standards officers in combating illicit vapes and preventing underage sales. He expressed disappointment in the businesses within the city willing to endanger the health of citizens by selling illegal goods.
The Council also took the opportunity to remind all retailers of their obligation to ensure that the disposable e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and vaping devices they sell comply with UK legal requirements. Retailers were explicitly alerted to the age restrictions on the sale of vapes, highlighting that selling these products to individuals under 18 constitutes an offense. Both the business owner and the staff member responsible for the sale can be held liable.
To report instances of illegal nicotine inhaling products or tobacco, individuals are encouraged to contact Brighton & Hove Trading Standards at trading.standards@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
