More than 2,000 disposable vapes seized after ban

More than 2,000 disposable vapes have been seized from five shops in Kent since the items were banned at the start of the month, Trading Standards said.

Officers from the agency in Kent visited more than 80 shops after the ban on 1 June which made it illegal for businesses to sell or supply disposable vapes, whether or not they contain nicotine.

Jim Whiddett, Trading Standards operations manager, said initial visits had been a "mixed bag" with some following the ban and others needing more advice.

He said follow-up inspections would be carried out to ensure shops continued to adhere to the ban and were arranging for any remaining stock to be recycled.

Spot checks took place at a variety of retailers in all districts, with patrols in Thanet, Ashford and Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week.

The agency said there were five separate seizures of illegal vapes, totalling 2,163 products.

Mr Whiddett said: "There was a small minority that decided to flout the ban.

"On day one of our operation, illegal products were seized and the shops were issued compliance notices and can expect a follow up in line with the requirements under the legislation."

Under the new rules, vapes being sold must be reusable and have rechargeable batteries, replaceable coils and wadding, and be refillable.

Retailers caught breaking the law in England face a minimum £200 fine, with a prison sentence of up to two years for repeat offences.

Penalties are broadly similar in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The ban was introduced to tackle the environmental impact of disposable vapes, which included lithium-ion batteries which can leak toxic compounds if not disposed of properly.

It also comes after a previous crackdown on illegal vapes which contained significantly higher levels of nicotine and other chemicals than was allowed.

More than six million illegal vaping products were seized by Trading Standards officers across England between 2022 and 2024, according to analysis by the BBC.

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