An investigation led by the National Trading Standards have found that one in every eight ‘nicotine free vapes’ contained nicotine.
The National Trading Standards (NTS), Salford City Council’s Trading Standards team alongside Heart of the Southwest Trading Standards Service and the Trading Standards team in Berkshire, have worked collaboratively to test ‘nicotine free’ vapes on sale to UK consumers.
Together they have also been tracking the sale of illicit vapes and underage sales, through an investigation named Operation Joseph.
The operation has been funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and is supporting local authorities to increase enforcement activity.
The operation is also be used to remove illegal vapes from the community, by targeted testing and port seizure work.
And this has proved to be essential work, as throughout 2023/24 1.19 million vapes were seized by Trading Standards – and increase of 59 per cent, as well as 299,224 confiscated in the final quarter of that period.
The NTS data also shared that 24 per cent of the 775 test purchases in Quarter Four of 2023-24 results in illegal sales of vapes to under 18s.
The action has been taken by Salford City Council’s Trading Standards, as consumers purchasing nicotine free products are unknowingly being exposed to nicotine and its addictive effects in significant quantities.
The key findings of 76 products sold and tested as nicotine free vapes, showed that more than one in every eight (13.2%) of products tested contained nicotine in amounts ranging from 0.06 mg/ml to 27.02 mg/ml, the amount equivalent to a packet of 20 cigarettes.
Following the released data, Councillor Barbara Bentham Lead, Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety at Salford City Council said: “As a key priority in our Corporate Plan, it’s pivotal that we make sure that everyone in Salford has the opportunity to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
“That means protecting the health of our residents and in particular, safeguarding children from the flood of dangerous, illegal products that are being sold in our city and across the UK.
Cllr. Bentham continued: “As a growing national concern, we are committed to working with partners like National Trading Standards to remove illegal vapes from our communities and urge businesses to ensure that vaping products are not sold to children.
“Those who choose to ignore legal regulations will face thorough investigations to enforce compliance so that we continue to ensure the highest standards of safety are met.”
And with the dangers of illegal products, Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standard said: “The protection of communities, public health and the safeguarding of honest businesses who are struggling to compete with the flood of illegal products lies at the heart of what Trading Standards does.
“Trading Standards has seized nearly 1.2 million illegal vapes and more than £26 million worth of illicit tobacco so far.
“But the reality is further action is necessary to remove more illegal – and in many cases dangerous – products from sale,” he continued.
Salford residents have been encouraged to report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service by calling 0808 223 1133 – more information can be found here.
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