"A disgrace" - Beverley vape shop owner hits out at illegal vape trade
A vape shop owner in East Yorkshire has called on Trading Standards to do more to stop illegal vapes being sold to under-18s.
Last updated 11th Jul 2023
Recent figures have shown that one in three kids aged between 12 and 18 in the East Riding of Yorkshire have tried vaping, and one in every ten vapes regularly.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council says that over 3000 illicit vapes have been seized in Goole, Bridlington, Beverley and Withernsea.
Despite this, Craig Lowe, who owns Gators Vape shop in Beverley, said that more needs to be done to stop the sale of illegal vapes.
He said: "I can think of probably two dozen shops in Hull that sell illegal disposables, and they sell them to anyone who comes in with cash, which is a disgrace.
"Trading Standards need to be in and out of these shops, they need to raid the places and hand out bigger fines and bigger deterrents."
He also pointed the finger at how some vapes are marketed, and said: "We do get a lot people coming in during winter with their jacket done up so we can't see their school tie.
"They do an illegal Rick & Morty e-cigarette - that's crazy, they're definitely aimed at kids."
David Hunt, Senior Officer for Trading Standards said: " Trading Standards is aware that this is an issue and is working to tackle the sale of e-cigarettes to young people."
He said that nationally, over 2 million vapes have been seized in the last year, as the problem of illegal vapes seems to be growing during that period.
Trading Standards can carry out test purchasing to see if they will see to under-18s, and have the power to stop repeat offenders from trading altogether.
David Hunt said to potential offenders: "You're going to lose your products and you could face action at court and receive a fine, and there may be publicity which affects your business."
Despite that warning, Craig Lowe said "Three places got raided locally, and the following day they were all selling illegal disposables again like nothing had happened."
Although the long-term health effects of vapes are not yet fully understood, there is concern over some illegal vapes which contain heavy metals, which can be toxic.