Council Seizes Illegal Vapes Worth £5,000

TAMESIDE Council trading standards officers seized 552 illegal vapes from a Stalybridge shop on January 31. The items had an estimated street value of £5,271.

The swoop at Pound Buster Bargains, Melbourne Street, was organised following information from the police that the business was not only selling banned vapes but making them available to children.

A warning letter was sent to the store on receipt of the complaint. A follow-up visit discovered the non-compliant e-cigarettes hidden under the counter.

To stay within the law, the tank size of a disposable vape must not exceed 2ml, which equates to roughly 650 puffs. More than half of those seized in Stalybridge claimed to offer 10,000 – over 15 times the legal limit.

Cllr Vincent Ricci, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member with responsibility for enforcement, said: “As an authority we have a duty to look after the safety of our younger residents. We take that responsibility very seriously.

“These illegal items were seized just as the Government was announcing that disposable vapes are to be banned in the UK as part of plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping and protect children’s health.

“Fortunately, the vast majority of our traders are honest people who stick to the law. For the tiny minority who are prepared to flout the rules, we will always take the necessary action when we deem it to be necessary.”

For more on illegal tobacco products and how to report sales visit: www.tameside.gov.uk/adultservices/Tacklingillegaltobacco