Liverpool City Council cracks down on illegal vapes with over 30,000 seized

Since October 2023, Liverpool City Council’s Alcohol and Tobacco Unit (ATU) has been on a mission to rid the city of illegal vapes, seizing more than 30,200 products valued at an astonishing £362,736 and shutting down 26 shops.

The crackdown on illegal vapes is part of an ongoing effort to protect communities from the dangers posed by illegal and unregulated products.

Tactics used by the team include an underage test purchase programme, unannounced premises searches, and collaboration with partners such as Merseyside Police.

Last week, two further shops in Liverpool were closed due to illegal sales—Rathbone Express and Grab & Go, both in Wavertree. Both shops received three-month closure orders at Wirral Magistrates’ Court.

Whilst genuine vaping products can be an effective tool for those looking to quit smoking, all the vapes seized are illegal as they exceed the legal limit of 20mg per millilitre of nicotine and 600 puffs.

Closure notice outside a shop © Liverpool City Council

These illegal vapes, often sold under names like ‘Unicorn Juice’ and ‘Strawberry Sensation,’ are not only highly dangerous due to their excessive nicotine content but are also worryingly marketed towards children. The disregard for safety and legality by these sellers poses a significant public health risk, especially to younger, more vulnerable members of the community.

The vapes seized by the team are recycled by a Manchester-based contractor authorised by Trading Standards North West to recycle these products.

To report anyone selling alcohol, tobacco, or vapes illegally, please visit: https://liverpool.gov.uk/contact-us/service-area/report-illegal-trading

For advice and information on ways to quit smoking, please visit Smoke Free Liverpool: https://www.smokefreeliverpool.co.uk

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

”The continued work by our Alcohol and Tobacco Unit sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the sale of illegal and potentially dangerous vaping products in Liverpool. Our priority is to protect our residents, particularly our youth, from the risks associated with these unregulated products.

We urge people to report any suspicious activities related to illegal vape sales. Those looking for support to quit smoking should seek advice from professionals and use only legally compliant products.”