Newham Trading Standards seize £5,400 worth of illicit tobacco and vapes

• Action supports government approach to disrupt the illegal tobacco market
• Seized vapes found to contain five times the legal limit of nicotine
• ITN capture moment Newham’s officers find concealment in Plaistow shop

Officers from Newham Trading Standards have seized illicit items during inspections at businesses in the borough. The activity took place in October as part of Operation CeCe, a national campaign which focuses on joint work between National Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs. The campaign is aimed at disrupting every aspect of the illegal tobacco market, from frontline retailers to global organised crime groups who drive the illicit trade.

Newham Trading Standards were joined by the Metropolitan Police, Council Licensing team, Julius the sniffer dog (provided by Wagtail UK), and an ITN news team. Borough-wide inspections resulted in four stores being visited.

At one of the businesses, Julius the sniffer dog alerted officers to a concealment behind a mirror in a bathroom. Once opened, a large quantity of illicit cigarettes and tobacco items were discovered and seized immediately. This was all captured by the news team and has since been broadcast on ITV’s national news bulletin.

Councillor Amar Virdee, Cabinet Member for Crime and Community Safety, said: “I applaud the efforts of Newham Trading Standards officers. Their continued pursuit of illicit trade has produced fantastic results. We are not a Council to sit back and will always make every effort to stamp out illicit products and illegal markets.

“Growing evidence suggests vapes are an environmental and public health concern and this action is another step forward in highlighting the risks involved.

“This signals the need for increased support and funding for Trading Standards who are providing the education and necessary enforcement interventions.”

The vape products seized at one of the businesses advertised ‘7,000- 9,000 puffs’. The UK legal limit on nicotine in disposable e-cigarettes is no more than two per cent (20mg/ml) and must not exceed 2ml in capacity – that amounts to approximately 600-800 puffs, based upon a legitimate fill limit.

A number of the seized vapes were then independently tested which confirmed they were non-compliant with a significant number of failures, including addictiveness and toxicity alongside a lack of appropriate addictiveness and other health warnings. These are illegitimate for sale within the UK.

The nicotine volume found in the single-use disposable vapes was found to be approximately 10ml - around five times the permitted legal amount. The nicotine strength in the single-use vape products was also found to contain 50 per cent more than the amount that is legally allowed.

The business was initially provided with information and guidance relating to the Waste Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE). Investigations remain ongoing. Anyone who is prosecuted and convicted of being involved in selling or supplying illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes can face significant financial penalties, or custodial sentences.

Cllr Virdee added: “The trade in illicit tobacco, smuggled goods and non-compliant vape products often funds or drives organised crime. Intelligence-led, targeted and collaborative work is proving very effective in delivering strong results in Newham.

“Disrupting the chain and preventing these products reaching residents or consumers is the primary focus of Trading Standards. We will do everything we can to tackle those who seek to create an unfair competitive advantage against legitimate trade. A small proportion of traders will go to extreme lengths in concealing, or making financial gain.

“Non- compliant vape products present a significant risk to Newham residents and the general public. In addition to the alarming failings, the vape products tested presented imagery and flavours that could be interpreted as child appealing. This raises serious concerns regarding the efficacy and transparency of the companies selling these particular product lines and their intended target market.”

Disposal of electrical items and single-use disposable vape devices should be done by returning them to the retailer or taking them to an appropriate equipped recycling centre which includes household electrical waste. Businesses should arrange Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment collections of any old electrical items.

Newham Council is endorsing the call for a total ban on disposable vapes in England and Wales by 2024. This supports the Local Government Association’s position.

The Government has an open consultation to create a smokefree generation and tackle youth vaping. It specifically asks questions about proposals to crack down on youth vaping and ensure the law is enforced. The consultation will close in December 2023.