Trading Standards to enforce the illegal sale of vapes

It is illegal to sell electronic cigarettes or vapes to anyone under the age of 18. Residents are encouraged to report these products being sold illegally.

Trading Standards Officers will undertake unannounced visits to premises throughout the borough. To protect the community, any illegal or unsafe products are liable to be seized and traders found making illegal underage sales may be prosecuted and fined.

Nicotine vapes can help adults stop smoking and evidence shows vapes are significantly less harmful than smoking.

Adults buying vapes should check they are meeting safety standards and are legal.

Vapes should have:

• A maximum tank size of 2ml for an e-cigarette, which is about 600 puffs
• A maximum volume of 10ml for a nicotine-containing refill container
• A maximum strength of nicotine-containing liquid if present, 20mg/ml nicotine
• A clear health warning 'This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance'
• Tamper-evident and child-resistant packaging
• Labelling which does not closely resemble foods, sweets, or resemble brand names/logos of rights holders.

If you have any concerns, please report these to Trading Standards by calling Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.