UK Survey: One-third Of E-cigarettes Are Not Compliant, More Than 430,000 Seized in Kent

UK survey: One-third of e-cigarettes are not compliant, more than 430,000 seized in Kent

According to Vape Superstore's investigation, in early 2023, British police seized a large number of illegal e-cigarettes and cigarettes, among which Kent, Lancashire and Carmarthenshire were the main places where illegal e-cigarettes and cigarettes were seized, and the black market problem in these areas was particularly serious.

 

According to Talkingretail on June 20, British police seized tens of thousands of illegal e-cigarettes from black market e-cigarette sellers every month in raids in various places.

 

It is estimated that one-third of e-cigarettes currently sold in the UK do not comply with regulations. With the ban on disposable e-cigarettes coming in 2025, this number may rise significantly.

 

Based on FOI (Freedom of Information) requests, Vape Superstore investigated the number of illegal e-cigarettes and cigarettes seized by local governments in the UK between January 1 and February 29, 2023, and selected the local governments with the most illegal e-cigarette sellers.

The results are as follows:

 

Kent County Council seized the most illegal e-cigarettes in the UK, totaling 431,005. Many of these illegal e-cigarettes entered through the Eurotunnel terminal and the Port of Dover;

Lancashire County Council had the most illegal e-cigarette sellers, with a total of 132 suspected shops;

Carmarthenshire County Council seized the most illegal cigarettes in the UK, totaling 160,000 packs.

 

In addition, Vape Superstore conducted a survey of 1,381 disposable e-cigarette users in 2023 to investigate their knowledge of black market e-cigarette products.

 

The survey results show that:

 

50.3% of respondents are unfamiliar with the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) regulations;

83% of respondents do not understand the health risks of illegal disposable e-cigarettes;

36.4% of respondents believe that black market e-cigarettes are more cost-effective;

34.1% of respondents do not know the difference between illegal devices and regulated disposable e-cigarettes.

 

David Phillips of the agency said,

 

"E-cigarettes are an effective tool for quitting smoking, but the proliferation of illegal e-cigarettes on the market has led to a dangerous black market, and consumers are often unaware of this problem. Our research shows that the black market for illegal e-cigarettes is particularly serious in Kent, Lancashire, Anglesey and Swansea. We believe that by raising people's awareness of the harms of these products, consumers will be able to make more informed purchasing decisions in the future."