Illegal vapes seized by Enfield Trading Standards
Enfield Council’s Trading Standards team has successfully raided three premises in the borough, resulting in the seizure of 521 illegal disposable vapes.
The seizures were part of Operation Joseph, a National Trading Standards initiative, to tackle the supply and sale of illegal vapes and e-cigarettes.
The raids took place on 11 and 18 January in Brimsdown and Carterhatch wards.
The three premises were raided following reports to the Council that age restricted products, including vapes, were being supplied to children.
The oversized vaping products found on display at the premises offered up to 14ml capacity, with an estimated 9,000 puffs, which is seven times above the legal limit.
The illegal vapes, worth £6,252, will be destroyed.
Both locally and nationally, there is a noticeable increase in the sale of disposable vapes to young people. Government statistics show that 69% of current vapers aged 11 to 17 in Britain are using disposable vapes (up from 7.7% in 2021).
The long-term impact of nicotine vapes on young people’s health is not yet known, but the impact of young people developing nicotine addictions alongside the dangers of using unregulated vapes are clear. The seizure of dangerous and counterfeit vapes has helped to keep the borough’s residents safe.
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) found that the proportion of children experimenting with vaping had grown by 50% year on year. Illegal and oversized vaping products are becoming increasingly popular, which is why the Council is working hard along with the Citizens Advice service to remove them from the streets.
The Council relies on information from residents on the sale of illegal products. If residents see products for sale they think might be illegal or counterfeit, they are advised to email Citizens Advice who will refer the matter to Trading Standards. Visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/
For further information on the Council’s Trading Standards service visit: www.enfield.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/trading-standards
