In 2024, the government announced plans to pass a law making it illegal for businesses to sell, supply, offer to sell or supply, or possess single-use or disposable vapes for sale.
The ban on disposable vapes was introduced by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government and is set to take effect under Keir Starmer’s leadership in June.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) Request to Bromley Council revealed that between 2022 and 2024, the council seized a total of 11,898 vapes from several Bromley stores.
The FOI revealed that these 11,898 vapes were worth a total of £139,197.08.
In 2022, 1,777 vapes were seized and this more than doubled in 2023 to 4,945.
2024 saw an increase of 231 vapes seized, totalling 5,176 last year.
It is likely that the illegal vapes seized have been destroyed.
The FOI, which provided information from 2020 to 2024, stated that no shops had been given a closure order.
However, earlier this year, Bromley Council issued its first-ever closure order to a shop.
On February 28, Avah Market in Orpington was forced to close after a Trading Standards investigation into the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.
(Image: Bromley Council)
A spokesperson for Bromley Council said: “We will not tolerate the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes, with the related health concerns well documented as well.
“The Trading Standards action to close this store in Orpington follows detailed investigation to both stop the sales and to gather the required action to take this legal action and we are grateful to the police for their support as well.
“Whilst it is the first time we have closed a shop in this way, it may not be the last time and others are warned that we will take action to prevent the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes, including to stop under age sales as well.”
Residents and shoppers are urged to report concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes, as well as underage sales of these or other restricted products, to Trading Standards via the council’s website or by calling 0808 223 1133.
