Illicit Vapes
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/25/003716/I
Version Date: 08/10/2025
I request the following information for the period 1 January 2023 to the present.
1. Number of seizures of illicit or counterfeit vapes recorded, by calendar year. Please include:
(a) number of seizure incidents
(b) total number of vape units seized
(c) estimated total retail value
(d) number of premises searched during those seizures.
2. For seizures where the retail source type was recorded, please provide the number of incidents attributed to each type of outlet (e.g., convenience stores, vape specialist shops, supermarkets/large stores, market stalls, or other recorded categories).
3. Number of seizures assessed as linked to organised crime groups (or referred to a regional organised crime unit).
4. Number of prosecutions, cautions, or fixed penalty notices related to illicit/counterfeit vapes, with details of offences charged, outcomes, and sentences.
5. Total value of fines or civil penalties issued to retailers for selling illicit/counterfeit vapes (and illegal tobacco seized alongside vapes), by year.
6. Number of premises subject to closure orders, business suspensions, or similar enforcement actions for selling illicit/counterfeit vapes, including dates of orders.
7. Total recorded costs for handling, storing, and disposing of seized vapes, and the disposal methods used.
8. Number of compliance or underage sales checks involving vapes (run by or with your force), and how many resulted in penalties or referrals to Trading Standards.
9. Number of incidents recorded where counterfeit or illicit vapes were linked to a public-safety incident (e.g. fire, hospitalisation, poisoning).
If it would assist your team, I am happy to accept the information in parts
The Performance Analysis Department has provided the following information:
Searches were completed in Niche within the occurrence summaries using keyword searches for the word ‘vape’ and one or more of the following words: ‘illicit’, ‘illegal’, ‘counterfeit’, ‘fake’, ‘seize’. The returned data was reviewed for relevance, and this resulted in a nil return.