Trading standards seize almost 2,000 illegal vapes

Vapes five times stronger than the legal limit were found on sale in Cumbria

Trading standards officers have seized almost 2,000 illegal single-use vapes from five businesses.

They said they were five times the legal size.

Since the beginning of January, the Cumbria team has stopped illegal and oversized vape products from being marketed and sold to people in Whitehaven and Carlisle.

Cumberland Council cabinet member Bob Kelly said the team was "protecting the health and wellbeing of Cumberland residents by removing potentially harmful products from the market”.

The trading standards team visited shops to assess whether the disposable vapes offered for sale were compliant with the requirements of the Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016.

Failing to comply with these regulations can result in heavy fines.

Officers said illegal and oversized vaping products were becoming increasingly popular ahead of the upcoming vape ban, which is why the council is working with other agencies to tackle illegal vape sales.

Cumberland Council is appealing for residents who suspect products might be illegal or counterfeit to report them to trading standards.