Nearly 900,000 illegal vapes seized in Kent over last three years
Just under 500,000 of these products were found last year
Last updated 4th Apr 2025
Over the last three years, nearly 900,000 illegal vapes have been seized in Kent.
Figures, obtained exclusively by Greatest Hits Radio, found 426,653 of these products were found last year.
This was a small increase on 2022 (325,906) with both years seeing a significant jump from 2021 (3,769)
However, as of October there have only been 138,939 illegal vaping devices collected by Trading standards (TA) this year.
Jim Whiddett is from TA and he explains the numbers, he said: "Prior to 2021, they weren't around, there wasn't the demand for them but another part of the increase is to do with the work we are doing with our ports team.
"We have multiple ports of entry into our county, so they aren't just coming through Dover, and a lot of these big figures are because of this, we could find 65,000 in one shipment and that does boost the numbers quite a lot.
"And then the changes in 2024 are because we are getting good at the work we are doing and therefore we can disrupt the products that are being imported."
When asked about the type of product that Trading Standards are finding, Jim said: "In the past we were finding really large devices with a single take, which is bigger than the two ml, going up to 10 and 20 ml.
"Now we are beginning to see a change in the market place, with subtle changes in guidance, meaning people can have multiple tanks, which can give you that high puff count, without breaking the law."
In Tunbridge Wells, a few months ago, Local Vape Action was launched, with the aim was to educate retailers on illegal vapes, so they don't sell them in their stores.
Three months in and over 40 retailers have been reached, Marc Cameron, who owns Smoko, is one of those and he believes illegal vapes are giving a bad name to e-cigarette shops such as his.
He said: "We are trying to run a clean, helpful industry here and yet people who aren't part of any trade association, aren't involved in the real industry, they are going off piece and are just selling a product they don't understand or have knowledge of and it's really quite frustrating.
"We need to balance the negative views with what the positive side of the industry is doing. We are helping adult smokers, who haven't been able to quit using any other method, giving them a way out. It's healthier and a lot cheaper as well.
"We may have missed a trend with illegal vapes but we saw the writing on the wall. You can't buy a plastic straw in this country so eventually the laws would catch up and yes we have probably missed out on some revenue but at least we get to sleep at night."