Illegal products are often cheaper, more dangerous, and easier for young people to access. Many are sold through social media, friends, local shops, or street sellers without proper checks or any regard for selling to young people or adults.
Illegal cigarettes
Cigarettes sold legally in the UK must follow strict packaging rules.
If your child has one these, they’re likely illegal:
- coloured or branded packs – legal packs are plain olive green
- odd pack sizes – legal packs contain 20 cigarettes, not 10, 19 or 21
- foreign writing – health warnings must be in English
- no health warning with a graphic image – legal packs must have a large photo and message covering most of the pack
- very cheap – anything well under £10 for 20
- sold singly – cigarettes outside of a packet are illegal
Find out more about illegal cigarettes at Keep It Out.
Illegal vapes
Many illegal vapes look bright, colourful, and fun. They may be high in nicotine and completely unregulated. Some imitate food products and appeal to children, often displayed near sweets.
Things to check on the packaging:
- no manufacturer or importer details – legal vapes must show a UK or EU-based company name and address
- no ECID number – legal vapes must be registered with the MHRA and display this number; can be searched on the ECIG database
- strange or foreign packaging – warnings must say: “This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance” in plain black writing on a white background (front and back)
- very strong flavours or unusual branding – cartoon packaging like “Rick & Morty” or “Minions”
- refillable-looking pods on disposables – clip-in parts or rechargeability can hide the 2ml legal liquid limit
- very cheap – anything sold for a few pounds or in “3 for £10” deals is suspicious
- QR code that doesn’t work – some brands let you check authenticity via QR code
Find out more about Vaping: what you need to know – ASH.
How young people get illegal products
Illegal cigarettes and vapes are widely available in places that look normal. Many young people don’t realise they’re buying something illegal.
Common ways children get these products:
- friends or older siblings – 36% of pupils in Years 7 to 13 say they got vapes from someone they know
- small shops, barbers or vape stores that don’t follow the rules – 26% of pupils in Years 7 to 13 say they got vapes from a shop, even though it’s illegal to sell to under-18s
- pubs and clubs – some adults pass cigarettes or vapes to younger people, or they may be sold unofficially through contacts
- social media platforms – sellers use apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp to advertise and arrange sales (often using emojis or slang to hide their products)
- markets and car boot sales – vapes and tobacco sold at stalls or from cars are rarely legal
Find out more about young people and vaping – NHS.
Contact us
Find out how to report illegal tobacco anonymously, or email trading.standards@portsmouthcc.gov.uk with information.