30/08/2024 - Prosecution for sale of illegal vapes from Luton store

Mr Hai was given a three-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £800 and a £26 victim surcharge.

Luton Trading Standards have launched a campaign to investigate and prosecute those who sell illegal vape pens and tobacco in Luton, seizing over 13,600 so far. Illegal vaping devices are more dangerous than their regulated counterparts as they contain chemicals that are banned in this country and are harmful to health. All disposable vape pens that exceed 600 puffs, containing 2ml of liquid and 2% nicotine content, are illegal. Vaping devices are regulated by the government to control the amount of nicotine available and have to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Gerard McCleave, Corporate Director for Inclusive Economy, said: “The sale of illicit tobacco, vape pens and shisha is often linked to wider organised criminal activity, so we have good reason to be vigilant. It is also putting people’s health at risk, which is particularly concerning as illicit vape pens and tobacco are often being sold to school children under 18, which is also illegal”.

Luton Trading Standards are continuing to clamp down on the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco. Their interventions have resulted in Luton landlords terminating the lease on at six premises, three for non-duty paid and counterfeit cigarettes, and they are in the process of undertaking two more. Other businesses are on final warnings before their leases are terminated.