Yesterday (June 1) marked the start of the ban on the sale of disposable vapes, but calls are already coming for Trading Standards officers to be given greater resources to enforce the new rules.
Retailers selling devices that can’t be recharged or refilled now risk penalties of £200 for their first offence, with unlimited fines and potential custodial sentences for repeat offenders.
The Association of Convenience Stores warns, however, that Trading Standards teams are “drastically under-resourced”, typically only being able to visit premises if they receive intelligence that particular retailers are flouting regulations, rather than being able to proactively enforce the law.
The ACS estimates that Trading Standards requires an additional £140m over the next five years to tackle the trade in illicit vapes, with £30m needed in 2025 alone, triple what officers have so far received.
The organisation warns that even before the ban on disposables came into force, “thousands” of rogue traders were selling illegal devices. The ACS adds that it is has been working with the government and Trading Standards “for months”, providing guidance on how to identify non-compliant devices.
James Lowman, chief executive of the ACS, says his organisation strongly supports “robust enforcement activity”, and that it is “essential that Trading Standards teams are given the resources they need to get illegal vapes and other products off the streets”.
