Ealing Council trading standards has seized more than 18,000 illegal vapes at several locations across Southall in one of the largest clampdowns in the UK by a local trading standards authority.
According to the council, the illegal vapes contained nicotine with a tank capacity exceeding what is permitted by law as well as the vapes not meeting statutory labelling and information requirements.
The products were branded as “Elux”, “R & M Tornado”, “Vapmod”, “Solox Vapes”, “M Bar” and “Raymont” and had a monetary value of around £180,000.
Mohammed Tariq, senior trading standards officer said: “This department will do everything possible to protect consumers from purchasing these illegal products. We are concerned about the large number illegal items found from this one supplier. We will be targeting importers, wholesalers and retailers in Ealing to remind them that they have a duty to supply products which are legal, safe and have been formally tested and meet the relevant statutory legal requirements. They should only purchase stock from reputable sources that have met the manufacturing and legal standards.”
Ealing Council cabinet member for decent living incomes, Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, said: “It is our duty to protect the health and wellbeing to the residents of Ealing. Whilst nicotine-containing vapes may be a substitute for tobacco smoking these disposable vaping products still contain nicotine, which can be highly addictive and are therefore regulated products.”
Councillor Mahfouz added: “Our trading standards officers are working hard to get these illegal vapes removed from sale and will continue to disrupt this illicit trade and take enforcement action where necessary. Their work is a fundamental part of our pledge to tackle businesses which put residents and consumers in the borough at risk and to support compliant businesses by creating a legal and level playing field.”
Ealing Council is asking residents to be alert to any illegal vapes being displayed or sold. Residents can report it via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or email tradingstandards@ealing.gov.uk.