One Darlington June 2023

Shaun Trevor with some of
the seized illegal vapes
Preventing illegal sales
of vapes to children
Tobacco smoking remains our biggest preventable
killer, with up to two thirds of people who smoke
dying early as result of their addiction. Vapes offer a
significantly less harmful alternative to smoking and
are very effective in helping people to quit.
However, vaping is not recommended for people who
don’t smoke or for young people under 18.
There are growing concerns about sales of illegal and
over-strength vapes not permitted in the UK. It’s an
issue our trading standards and public health teams
are working with police and other partners to tackle.
Shaun Trevor, trading standards and animal health
manager, explained: “With the help of information from
parents and other residents, we’ve led a series of days
of action to clamp down on illegal sales, with more
than £70,000 worth of products seized so far this year.
“This has resulted in at least two shops being the
subject of temporary closure orders and investigations
are ongoing with a view to prosecutions. Recently we
also sent two disposable Elux Bar Legend 3500 vapes
for laboratory testing. The results showed they were
misdescribed as 0% nicotine, and withdrawal notices
have been given to two retailers under the General
Product Safety Regulations 2005.
“We will continue to work with police and our partners
to tackle this issue and would urge anyone with
information to get in touch.”
Nationally, the government has pledged £3 million to
support efforts to tackle the issue and there are also
calls that vapes should be out of sight and out of reach
of children in shops.
Ken Ross, public health principal, said: “It’s illegal
to sell vapes to children and we’re working hard to
crack down on such sales in our area, but there are
also concerns that brands are using child-friendly
packaging with the names of popular sweet treats such
as banana milkshake and jelly babies to attract them.
“We are working with schools and colleges so they
have the resources available to help ensure young
people know the facts about vaping.”
If you have information about illegal sales of vapes
email tradingstandards@darlington.gov.uk or use our
online form (anonymously if you prefer) at
www.darlington.gov.uk/ts-report-it
www.darlington.gov.uk/ts-report-it
one Darlington 29