Council tackles illegal vape sales in South Ayrshire

South Ayrshire Council is helping to tackle the latest worrying trend of illegal vaping devices in circulation throughout Scotland.

The Scottish Government has advised businesses registered to sell vaping products to check their stock to ensure they do not breach the requirements of the Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016.

Our Trading Standards and Environmental Health team are visiting local retail premises as part of a Scotland-wide project aimed at preventing the sale of illegal vaping devices. So far, officers have seized over 800 illegal devices at a retail value of approximately £6500 and removed around 400 illegal fruit flavoured devices due to labelling concerns.

Some of the seized items were illegal, larger capacity disposable vaping devices which do not comply with the UK safety requirements and current tobacco legislation. Legal vaping devices should not contain more than 2% nicotine or hold more than 2ml of liquid (approximately 600 puffs) - the equivalent to one pack of cigarettes. The public are being urged to check labelling before making a purchase, as some seized items contained between 3.2ml - 4.7ml of liquid. 

Selling vape devices to anyone under 18 is illegal, and retailers who are caught doing this could be prosecuted. Our Trading Standards and Environmental Health team are also urging parents to be extra vigilant as some of these potentially unsafe devices resemble highlighter pens and can therefore be easily disguised.

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Wellbeing, Councillor Philip Saxton said: "The work of our Trading Standards and Environmental Health team is essential to protect the public from potentially harmful illegal vaping devices, as well as helping to prevent illegal underage sales.

"It also maintains and promotes a fair-trading environment for legitimate retailers who comply with tobacco legislation and sell products legally. The team will continue to monitor compliance in the area and provide advice to retailers selling these products to assist them to comply."

If you have concerns, or would like advice on compliance, please email trading.standards@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or call 0300 123 0900 and ask for Trading Standards.

Published 17 November 2021