A LARGE number of illegal vaping devices have been seized by Coventry Trading Standards.
The vapes, which contain nicotine, have a tank capacity which exceeds the size permitted by law.
It follows a rise in complaints about young people buying them from shops across the city and using them in schools.
Nicotine is highly addictive and there is uncertainty about the damaging effects they could have on young people’s long-term health.
While nicotine containing vapes are recommended as a substitute for cigarette use to help people quit smoking there is concern the increasing sales of disposable vaping pens to young people may lead to nicotine addiction.
Although some shops have claimed they were unaware they were selling illegal products or making underage sales, the city council said the e-cigarettes had fruity flavours and bright colours and ‘appealed as fashion accessories’ to school age children.
There have been reports of vaping causing disruption in schools which have had to notify parents of the inappropriate use of these e-cigarettes on their premises.
Parents have also complained of children using them after being able to buy them, claiming they are too accessible.
Coventry Trading Standards is working hard to crack down on illicit sales of illegal electronic cigarettes and get them removed from shop shelves.
The legal UK limit on nicotine content in electronic cigarettes is no more than two per cent (20mg/ml). They must also not exceed 2ml in capacity and come with an information leaflet with the appropriate health warnings.
All nicotine inhaling vapes must be notified to the Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) before they can be sold in the UK.
Any nicotine containing vapes will not pass the notification procedure if they have too large a tank or too much nicotine.
Any vape stating it contains more than 650 ‘puffs’ is likely to have too great a capacity and retailers should check capacity before selling them.
No capacity marking should also raise suspicions.
Work will continue targeting retailers to remind them selling age-restricted products to under-18s is a criminal offence and stock should only be bought from reputable sources to ensure vaping products being sold are subject to manufacturing and legal standards.
On receiving complaints a retailer is selling vapes to someone under 18 will see the team write to the store owners to remind them of the law, steps to take to prevent legislation breaches and that they will face a test purchase in the future.
Coun Abdul Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, said: “Our Trading Standards team is working hard to get these non-compliant vaping products removed from shops in the city and in doing so to protect the health and wellbeing of Coventry consumers.
“Especially following rising complaints from schools and parents about shops selling vaping products to children and young people.
“It is worrying that under 18s are using these illegal products when there is no long-term evidence that suggests a young person’s health will not be affected.
“Business owners are reminded that this is a criminal offence to sell age-restricted products to people under 18 and to sell vapes with nicotine that do not meet the standards required by legislation that was published in 2016.
“The valid use of vaping is as an aid to help people quit smoking rather than a fun, colourful lifestyle for young people.”
He urged anyone suspecting a shop of selling illegal vaping products or legitimate ones to under 18s to visit [email protected] to report them.
