Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Over £17,000 worth of illicit vapes and tobacco seized in Brighton and Hove

illicit vapes and tobacco in Brighton and Hove
iStock image
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Trading Standards officers seized over £17,000 worth of illicit vapes and tobacco products during three days of inspections conducted in early October.

The goods were seized across eight premises in Brighton and Hove.


The operation took place as a part of a systemic crackdown on the selling of illicit vapes and tobacco, and was supported by the members of the tactical enforcement unit from Sussex Police, a dog handler and officers from Thames Valley south east regional organised crime unit.

Trading Standards officers have previously carried out visits to local businesses to provide advice and guidance on the legislation surrounding vapes as well as underage sales.

Since then, a total of 27 businesses have been found selling illicit goods.

The council said the officers are now considering a range of enforcement options including closure orders, prosecutions and referrals to other agencies to deal with the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes.

“We are determined to continue our crackdown on the selling of illicit vapes and tobacco products and the selling of these to vulnerable young people,” Cllr Leslie Pumm, chair of the equalities, community safety & human rights committee, said.

“Local business owners have been briefed on the legal requirements regarding the selling of vapes and therefore should know better than to risk their livelihoods and the wellbeing of our residents.

“I would like to issue a stern warning to all retailers to ensure all disposable e-cigarettes, e-liquids and vaping devices they sell meet UK legal requirements and remind them about the age restriction on the sale of vapes.

“Anyone selling vapes to someone under 18 is committing an offence. The owner of the business can be held responsible as well as the member of staff who made the sale.”

More for you

UCLA researcher Lisa Lowe analyzes saliva for microplastics from chewing gum in 2025 study
Photo: iStock

Chewing gum may release microplastics, early study warns

Chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic pieces straight into people's mouths, researchers said on Tuesday, also warning of the pollution created by the rubber-based sweet.

The small study comes as researchers have increasingly been finding small shards of plastic called microplastics throughout the world, from the tops of mountains to the bottom of the ocean - and even in the air we breathe.

Keep ReadingShow less
Counterfeit goods in Scotland

Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group relaunches to combat counterfeiting

Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group relaunched

The Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group (SAITG) has relaunched this month, with the aim of combating counterfeiting and intellectual property crime in Scotland.

Supported by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the group brings together law enforcement, government and businesses to strengthen Scotland’s fight against this illicit trade.

Keep ReadingShow less
Latest UK consumer spending statistics

UK consumers cut spending as economic worries grow - KPMG

iStock image

'Many reducing spend on everyday items amid economic concerns'

Majority of Brits feel that the economy is heading in the wrong direction, and this feeling is leading many to cut everyday spend, defer big ticket buying, and save more, a recent report has stated.

According to the latest quarterly Consumer Pulse survey from KPMG in the UK, three in five people say that the UK economy is worsening, leading even consumers feeling financially secure to cut back on spending.

Keep ReadingShow less