Hundreds of fake tobacco items have been seized across the city in an effort to protect local people from dangerous and illegal duplicates.
Portsmouth City Council trading standards officers have recently conducted several inspections to tackle the issue of fake cigarettes and oversized disposable e-cigarettes in areas across the city including Fratton and North End.
Inspections have resulted in seizures of over £33,000 worth of stock including 500 cigarette packs, 2.5kg of hand rolling tobacco, and over 2,400 vapes. Many of the contents retrieved include fake duplicates of well-known tobacco brands where the contents are not regulated and are deemed as unsafe.
Selling these products puts the public’s health at even greater risk, whilst undermining the work of stop smoking services and stealing trade from legitimate businesses.
What makes an e-cigarette illegal?
E-cigarettes, or vapes, are classed as illegal if they break the regulations on labelling and ingredients. By law, a vape can only hold 2ml of liquid, which is equivalent to 600 puffs. Many of the products seized contained enough liquid for 15,000 puffs – 25 times the legal amount.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health & Care at Portsmouth City Council said “The marketing of illegal disposable vapes with designs and flavours that could appeal to children is unacceptable, and it is these vapes that are the most affordable and easily accessible to children. While vaping is an effective aid to help adult smokers stop smoking, children should never vape. The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive”
The council is receiving more and more tip-offs about suspected illegal vape sales. If you have any information, please contact trading.standards@portsmouthcc.gov.uk,report anonymously via 0300 999 6 999, or visit www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.
The council’s wellbeing service provides free support to help Portsmouth residents to stop smoking. Visit www.wellbeingportsmouth.co.uk or call 023 9229 4001 to find out more.