Industry leaders are raising concerns on recent on-the-spot fines for illegal vape sales, as they seem insufficient to curb the rapidly growing black market. According to new data, over £9 million worth of illegal vapes were seized across the UK in 2024 alone—a 44% increase from the previous year. This figure represents nearly half of the £21 million worth of illegal vapes confiscated since 2020, with two illegal vapes seized every minute on average last year.
Compiled in the 2025 Illegal Vapes Report by Vape Club, through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to 108 local authorities, the findings highlight the urgent need for stronger regulatory measures. The report reveals that Britain’s major ports and airports are key entry points for illegal vape products.
Essex Sees Unprecedented 14,000% Surge in Illegal Vape Seizures
Essex County Council, which oversees several international sea ports, along with Heathrow and Glasgow Airports, accounted for over one-third of the nation’s total illegal vape seizures last year. The combined total from these locations was nearly three times higher than in 2023, highlighting a worrying escalation in illegal imports.
More specifically, Essex has experienced a 14,000% increase in illegal vape seizures over the past year, making it the biggest hotspot for illegal vapes outside the London Borough of Hillingdon. London accounted for 47% of all illegal vapes seized in England. Newport in Wales contributed 70% of the nation’s total illegal vape seizures, while Renfrewshire Council in Scotland, home to Glasgow Airport, reported 3,814 seizures—the highest in the country.
Existant penalties are ineffective
Despite the surge in illegal vape seizures, enforcement remains weak. Only 1 in 10 identified cases resulted in fines or penalties in 2024, with total fines amounting to just £48,062—£20,000 less than the previous year. These figures suggest that existing financial penalties fail to deter those engaged in the illegal trade.
While fines remain low, authorities have made progress in shutting down non-compliant businesses. In 2024, 108 retailers received premises closure orders related to illegal vape sales—more than double the number issued in 2023. However, experts argue that these actions fall short of addressing the scale of the problem.
Industry leaders argue that inadequate enforcement and limited penalties are at the heart of the illegal vape crisis. With the upcoming ban on disposable vapes, concerns are growing that the UK will face an influx of unregulated and potentially dangerous products if authorities fail to tackle the root causes.
Vape Retailer and Distributor Licensing scheme to curb illegal sales
Dan Marchant, Director of Vape Club, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive licensing framework for vape retailers and distributors. This system, he suggests, would ensure that revenue from licensing fees is ringfenced to support proactive enforcement. Such funding could enhance Border Force capabilities to prevent illegal products from entering the country and empower Trading Standards to take stronger action against rogue retailers.
In line with Marchant’s perspective, organizations like the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) have long advocated for a licensing system for vape retailers. In response, last November the reintroduced Tobacco and Vapes Bill proposed a new licensing framework for businesses selling tobacco, vape, and nicotine products. The legislation also introduced an immediate £200 fine for retailers found selling these products to underage customers.
“The unexpected rise in smoking rates should be ringing alarm bells in the government, and whilst they are debating the Tobacco and Vapes bill, this should serve as a stark wake-up call not to throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to vape regulation. It is more vital than ever that the right balance is found between maintaining the effectiveness of the single best smoking cessation product on the market and preventing youth access. We sincerely hope that MPs and regulators will engage meaningfully with the vape industry to find this balance, including a serious consideration of our Vape Retailer and Distribution Licensing scheme, which could provide more than £50 million in funding for Trading Standards, annually,” Marchant told Vaping Post.
Without urgent regulatory reform and dedicated resources, experts warn that the illegal vape market will continue to thrive, posing risks to public health and consumer safety across the UK. Ben Johnson, founder of Riot Labs and the Riot Activist initiative, emphasized that a self-funded licensing framework would allow for better enforcement while maintaining access to legal vape products. He criticized the government’s current stance, stating that failure to implement effective regulations risks fueling the black market and undermining efforts to help adult smokers quit.
How to spot an illegal vape
Dan Marchant went on to highlight the public health risks associated with illegal vapes. He warned that unregulated products with excessive nicotine levels and contaminated ingredients pose serious health risks to consumers. Marchant stressed the need for the government to re-evaluate its current strategy and consider the proposed licensing framework to address youth vaping concerns without penalizing adult smokers seeking safer alternatives.
Meanwhile Riot Activist is advising consumers to be cautious and watch for the following warning signs of illegal vapes:
- Tank size exceeding 2ml (the legal limit).
- Nicotine strength higher than 20mg/ml.
- Missing or incorrect health warnings.
- Poor-quality packaging with low-resolution images or unclear labeling.
- No UK address or labeling in foreign languages.
- Lack of proper safety checks and missing ingredient lists.
