Most convenience stores in the UK that are found to be illegally selling vapes do not face financial penalties because trading standards believe fines have a limited effect. While there has been a significant increase in the number of illegal reports, fines represent only 2 percent of businesses identified as illegal.
Trading Standards England said
The majority of convenience stores in the UK found to be illegally selling vapes have escaped financial penalties because trading standards believe fines are not the most effective deterrent.
RN, Better Retailing’s sister publication, reported no fines in 16 of England’s 21 counties as of May 2024.
Derbyshire had the most fines, with four, followed by Lincolnshire (two), County Durham, North Yorkshire and County Durham.
Fines are not an effective means of combating illicit vapes
In those 12 months. The number of illegal reports far exceeded the number of fines, with only 2 percent of the 543 businesses identified as illegal being fined. Even so, the number of illegal reports and fines dropped by half year-on-year.
James Whiddett, operations manager at Kent’s Trading Standards department, told Better Retailing that fines could only come out after a court case but added that the agency was waiting for new legislation to give it similar powers. In addition, he noted that fines by themselves are not “the most effective way to avoid illegal vape sales.”
Meanwhile, Helen Deeley, head of quality assurance at Warwickshire Trading Standards, said no fines had been issued in the area:
- “Because other forms of interference are more effective, such as disposals, frequent browsing, evictions, and licensing reviews.”
The UK vape Trade Association is calling for fixed penalty notices to be added to the upcoming Tobacco and vape Bill. Its chief executive, Gillian Golden, said:
- “We want to set the fixed penalty notice at a level that is a moderate deterrent to offenders. However, it would be naive to think that these measures can solve all of our industry’s challenges.”
At the same time, voices are calling for increased funding to reduce the sale of illegal vapes.
John Dunne, director general of the UK vape Industry Association, said £168 million would be needed over the next five years to effectively enforce the UK’s current vape legislation.
One retailer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said two surrounding stores continued to sell illegal vapes despite repeated reports to trading standards.
