City squad cracks down on illegal vapes

Police officers along with council and public health officials seize illegal vapes with a street value of £22,000 at locations across Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports

More than 1,800 illegal vapes with a street value of £22,000 have been seized in an operation across Liverpool.

A team comprising Liverpool City Council’s Alcohol and Tobacco Unit, Merseyside Police and Public Health Liverpool all took part in the sting. It saw the vapes seized at eight premises across the city in the past couple of weeks.

Conditions relating to the retail of vapes are set out clearly in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

These restrict e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2ml, providing a maximum of 600 puffs. And they restrict the maximum volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid for sale in one refill container to 10ml.

Additionally, e-liquids are restricted to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml. This guidance however is being overlooked by some retailers.

Prof Matthew Ashton, Liverpool’s director of public health, said: “It is a fact that vaping products are now the most common aid used by adults in England who want to stop smoking.

“However, vapes are not harmless. The short-term effects include coughing, headaches, dizziness and sore throats. The long-term effects of vaping are, as yet, unknown. Selling illicit products increases the risk of these and other side effects.

“The public health message is very clear that people should not smoke or vape, and for the protection of those who choose to vape we need to take the necessary action to ensure the products being used comply with regulations.”

Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Public Health, said further operations were planned throughout the summer.

READ MORE: Liverpool city region to see £3.7m blitz on potholes

READ MORE: Metro Mayor targets city region car emissions

Merseyside Police Sergeant Simon Newman added: “The vaping industry is subject to strict controls and regulation, and it is illegal to breach those regulations for a reason.

“Operations such as this are about protecting the public from the potential harm that can be caused when the ingredients and quantities contained in vapes do not comply with the regulations.”