Around 1.4 tonnes of illegal vaping products have been seized as the public are asked to help stop sales.
The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) is seeing a rise in illegal and dangerous knockoffs as vapes people more popular, and officers are now as asking the public to help stop the sale of illegal vapes.
From July to December last year, Trading Standards, seized a total of 1.4 tonnes of illegal disposable vaping products from retailers during operations.
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These cheap replicas are full of untested and illegal chemicals and officers are urging the public to report any information or concerns they have.
Detective Inspector Alfie Keane, from NEROCU’s Tackling Organised Exploitation (TOEX) Team, said: “We know that all vapes are harmful to an extent but the illegal ones that we’re seeing more of have dangerous untested chemicals in them.
“We also know that vapes are more appealing to children and while work such as test purchasing and targeted operations are ongoing to stop the sale of these to those underage, we need to make sure we’re working with the public and partners to stop the sale of illegal vapes altogether.
“By reporting it you can help stop these vapes from being sold and getting into communities and the hands of vulnerable people such as children.”
You can report information to your local police force via their website or by contacting the Illegal Tobacco Hotline: 0300 999 0000. It's quick, easy, and completely anonymous.
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