Illicit vapes, also known as counterfeit and blag vapes, are often made without any control over what is going into them, making them potentially far more harmful to health than legitimate, regulated vaping products.
Where illicit vapes are commonly sold
Illicit vapes are normally sold cheaply from places such as:
- Retail outlets e.g. shops
- Residential addresses
- Pubs
- Sunbeds
- Car boot sales
- Ice cream vans
Health risks of illicit vapes
Some Illegal vapes have been found to contain unsafe levels of metals such as nickel and lead, along with other harmful substances. This may pose a particular risk to children and young people.
Why report?
The illicit tobacco and vape trade makes it easier for children to start smoking or vaping as they are sold at ‘pocket money’ prices. The illicit trade also helps to fund criminal activity and gang-related behaviour in the local area.
How to identify illicit vapes
If a vape isn't regulated then you may notice one, or more, of the below:
- incorrect or absent health warnings. All legal vapes are marked with the kite mark and have the CE sign
- over-capacity tank sizes, 2ml is the standard limit
- a higher than permitted concentration of nicotine, 20 mg/mL (or 2%) is the permitted strength. This means, the maximum strength you can legally buy is 40mg (or 4%) with a 2ml vape
- containing CBD
- incorrect labelling.
How to report illegal vapes
Any information received about manufacturers, importers, distributors, businesses or individuals dealing in illegal vape products will be investigated by Trading Standards. Action will be taken against those found to be breaking the law and this can include prosecutions.
There are a number of ways to anonymously report illicit vape activity:
- Knowsley Council : Email us - Tradingstandardsteam@knowsley.gov.uk - or telephone 0151 443 2242.
- Citizens Advice Consumer Service: Reports can be made online or by calling 0808 223 1133. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Lines are closed on bank holidays.
- Crimestoppers: Call 0800 555 111 or fill out the form at crimestoppers-uk.org to report anonymously.
- Keep It Out: Use the keep-it-out.co.uk website to report the illegal sale of vapes and tobacco.
Are you using as a quit tool?
If you don’t smoke, don’t vape. If you do smoke, vaping is much safer.
Regulated vapes are an effective quit tool. Residents of Knowsley can contact the local stop smoking service, Smokefree Knowsley, for support with quitting. They can call 0151 4267462 or text QUIT to 61825. Visit Smokefree Knowsley for more information.
Disposable vapes
Single-use or ‘disposable’ vapes can no longer be legally sold online or in shops, whether they contain nicotine or not. The banning of disposable vapes is designed to reduce the appeal of vapes to children and also to protect the environment.
More information on the Single Use Vapes Ban can be found here: GOV.UK: Single-use vapes ban.