£7,500 Illegal Vapes, Tobacco Seized in Devon

Recent operations across the UK have highlighted a growing crackdown on the illicit tobacco and vaping market, revealing alarming trends in illegal sales. In Newton Abbot, Devon & Cornwall Police seized over £7,500 worth of illegal products, including thousands of cigarettes and non-compliant vapes, emphasizing the need for public reports on suspicious activities. Similarly, a test purchasing operation in Nottingham uncovered a significant presence of counterfeit tobacco and vapes, with evidence indicating that the illegal market comprises 30% of cigarette consumption. Lincolnshire's Trading Standards reported record closures of shops linked to illegal sales, with over 670,000 cigarettes and thousands of illegal vapes seized in 2024. Walsall reported a dramatic rise in vape seizures, amounting to more than £200,000 worth over four years, as local authorities intensify efforts to protect residents and disrupt dangerous trading practices. These operations underscore the urgent need for stronger enforcement against the illicit trade, which is often linked to organized crime and poses significant health risks to consumers.