Manchester and Salford are among the top five UK areas for illegal vapes seized in 2023.
A Freedom of Information request by Vape Club, the UK’s largest online vape pod and vape kit retailer, analysed data from 152 local authorities.
Last year, 345,684 illegal vapes were seized in Greater Manchester, making up nearly a quarter (22%) of the total UK figure – with the cities of Manchester and Salford emerging as particular hotspots.
The figures equate to one in every eight people in Manchester owning an illegal vape.
The number seized from Salford was 122,214, an area targeted through GMPs ‘Operation Vulcan’, which began in autumn 2022.
It may be the case that users are unaware they are in possession of an illegal vape.
A vape or e-cigarette is classed as illegal if the tank has a capacity over 2ml.
During 2023, 347 illegal vape sellers were caught in Greater Manchester – over 10% of the UK total.
Bolton and Rochdale make up 64% of this figure.
Across the UK, only one in 20 of nearly 3000 unscrupulous sellers were issued with fines.
A spokesman for Salford City Council said: “Our Trading Standards team will continue to take action against any who put public health at risk by ignoring or flouting the law.”
Vape Club suggests that the best deterrent for “rogue retailers” is the likelihood of being caught, but at the moment is very low.
They propose that along with the current on-the-spot fines, they would like to see fines increase to at least £10,000.
Dan Marchant, Director of Vape Club, said: “Currently, the maximum fine that can be handed out is £2,500 but in reality, the fines given out are much, much lower.”
Feature Image: Photo by Thomas Bjornstad on Unsplash
