A "large quantity" of illegal e-cigarettes have been seized from a Merseyside vape shop.
Earlier this year, as part of ongoing work to tackle illicit tobacco sales in St Helens town centre, residents raised concerns that a specialist vape shop was selling vapes containing too much nicotine liquid as well as selling vapes to children under the age of 18.
Officers from St Helens Borough Council Trading Standards found that the store was offering disposable vapes online which contained "far more" than the 2ml of e-liquid permitted. But whilst the illegal vapes were removed from online following advice, the shop continued to sell oversize disposable vapes containing the same amount of nicotine as around 15 packets of cigarettes from in store.
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Whilst the illegal vapes were not on open display in the shop, a large quantity of them were concealed in the rear of the shop and were being sold to customers who asked for them. Last month, Trading Standards officers seized over 1,100 vapes which were either too big, too strong or not authorised for sale.
E-cigarettes are limited to containing 2ml of liquid and no more than 20mg of nicotine per ml. They must also be authorised by the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency for sale on the UK market.
Councillor Jeanie Bell, St Helens Borough Council Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities, said: "The sale of non-compliant e-cigarettes is a concern, particularly as Trading Standards are receiving numerous complaints alleging the sale of these products to underage people. The vapes are cheap and come in flavours and designs often attractive to younger people.
"Our officers have provided written advice to all shops in the borough most likely to sell these products and will continue to take enforcement action where illegal products continue to be sold."
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