Illegal vape sales decrease in Tunbridge Wells according to officials
It follows the launch of a pilot programme in the the town.
Officials have told us Illegal vapes sales have decreased in Tunbridge Wells.
It follows the launch of a programme in the town to educate retailers about the dangers of unregulated vapes.
The Local Vape Action has worked with nearly all shop owners - that sell vapes in the centre ensuring they are only used and accessed by adults in local communities, with a particular emphasis on preventing underage vaping and increasing retail compliance.
This week Greatest Hits Radio has been telling you about Kent's battle with these products. Yesterday we revealed that nearly nine hundred thousand illegal vapes had been seized in the county over the last three years.
Sarah Stearmen, works for trading standards and believes the project has been a 'success', she said: "The amount of vapes has gone down and the buy in from the owners, the people and the shops has been great. They now ask questions, because they are interested so it has just been positive across the board.
"There has been that engagement, they now have a point of contact to ask questions so we are there to help, as much as we possibly can, to make sure we have a compliant business.
When asked why retailers may sell these products, Sarah said: "Sometimes it is a lack of knowledge, not understanding what the legal standard is and what they can and can't sell, sometimes it is the consumers wanting bigger vape but unfortunately there are those who will sell them regardless."