Two tonnes of illegal vapes seized from Bolton shops

A staggering two tonnes of illegal vapes seized over the past five months in Bolton as part of a crackdown against the illegal sale of vapes and tobacco.

In the latest raids on 26 and 29 September, more than 2,000 packs of fake cigarettes were seized from shops in Bolton.

Trading Standards officers carried out the raids after receiving local intelligence that counterfeit cigarettes were being sold.

With the aid of sniffer dogs, the cigarettes were found hidden in walls and fridges at two premises and taken away by officers for examination. The businesses are now under criminal investigation. 

The two tonnes seized over the past five months equate to 23,500 non complaint e-cigarettes which have been uncovered during a series of raids on Bolton shops.

“Cheap illegal tobacco helps keep people in a cycle of addiction to smoking as well as making it easier for children to access illegal cigarettes,” Lynn Donkin, Bolton’s director of public health, said.

“We are seeing a decline in smoking in Bolton and more work is needed to continue this trend so that we can see an end the harms caused by smoking. Enforcement action to tackling cheap, illegal tobacco is one way the local authority is doing this.

“On vaping, the health advice remains that vapes can help adults stop smoking. It’s vital that we crack down on illegal sales to remove dangerous products and ensure young lives are not put at risk. The advice is clear that vaping is not for children.”

Cllr Sue Haworth, Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “Tackling illegal tobacco and E-cigarettes continues to be a priority for this council and these seizures are down to the ongoing hard work by our Trading Standards officers.

“I urge retailers to review the stock of tobacco and E-cigarettes they hold, to ensure they are legally compliant. We would also like to remind retailers about the age restriction on the sale of these products.

“Anyone selling vaping products 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.”