More than 400 illicit vapes seized in Cumbria since April 2023
- Published
Around one third of vape products sold in the UK do not comply with consumer regulations, according to Trading Standards
More than 400 'non-compliant' vapes have been seized from shops in the Westmorland and Furness area since April last year.
Between April 2023 and the end of February 2024, 451 vapes - also known as e-cigarettes - were seized locally, according to a council report.
Trading Standards data shows a third of vape products sold in the UK do not comply with government regulations.
Two premises were also found to have sold vapes to underage consumers.
It followed a Trading Standards initiative which tested the extent of underage purchasing across shops in the area.
The report stated that 27 premises were visited across Penrith, Dalton, Kendal, Ulverston and Barrow, with two shops found to have sold vapes to an underage volunteer.
Warning letters were issued to the traders and revisits are ongoing, the reports adds.
The Local Democracy News Service says all traders have been sent routine advice to ensure they are made aware of the legislative requirements for selling e-cigarettes.
Last November, a vaping taskforce was set up in Furness specifically to address the issue of youth vaping.
The report states the aim of the taskforce is to take a 'collaborative and community-informed approach' to protect those under the age of 18 from the potential dangers of vaping.
Many illicit vape products, which do not comply to government regulations, external, have been found to have over-capacity tank sizes or contain a higher-than-permitted concentration of nicotine.
In addition, the report states CADAS (Cumbria Addictions: Advice and Solutions) has been commissioned to deliver a preventative programme in local schools "to respond to the growing concern and increase in incidence and reporting of young people using e-cigarettes".
Members of the health and adult overview and scrutiny committee will discuss the report later this week.
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