Illegal disposable vape pens worth £20,000 have been seized during a series of raids on shops in Southend-on-Sea, a seaside city. These operations also led to the recovery of 35,000 illicit cigarettes and 19 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco on Southchurch Road.
The Southend-on-Sea City Council confirmed that evidence indicated these goods were being sold to children. The council plans to destroy the seized items using environmentally friendly methods.
Illicit products pose a greater health risk than legitimate goods due to the presence of harmful substances. There is also the possibility that these items were smuggled into the country, adding to their danger.
The council noted that the seized vapes falsely advertised a capacity of up to 15,000 puffs. According to UK regulations, any product claiming more than 600 puffs is likely to be non-compliant, exceeding legal limits on nicotine strength and tank size.
Alan Richards, the council’s Director for Environment and Place, stated, “All available powers will be used to stop unlawful goods from being sold.” He emphasized that businesses selling these items not only jeopardize public health but are also often linked to organized crime.
The council remains committed to using all available measures to ensure that unlawful goods are not sold within the community, thereby protecting public health and safety.
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