Illegal vapes are being sought in the thousands across Britain as people use the internet to get their hands on electronic cigarettes.
Southampton has an average monthly search volume of 104 per 100,000 residents, according to new figures.
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According to Ben Richardson, CEO of Tidal Vape, the illegal trade is fueled by stores where under-18s can buy vapes.
His concerns come after £300,000 worth of illegally sold vapes and counterfeit tobacco was seized in 12 months by Hampshire County Council’s Trading Standards.
‘Shops must be held responsible’
It is illegal in Britain to sell vapes containing more than 2ml of e-liquid, which is equivalent to around 600 puffs.
But vapes containing more than 15 times the legal limit of liquid are circulating freely throughout the country.
In light of this, online vape retailer Vapekit.co.uk analyzed the monthly search volume for illegal vapes over the past 12 months.
Southampton scores higher than its neighbors Portsmouth and Bournemouth, but falls below Eastleigh.
According to statistics, Eastleigh has an average monthly search volume of 116 per 100,000 residents, making it a highly productive location for illegal vape searches.
Ben Richardson owns and runs a chain of vape shops in Hampshire.
While he and his team are “deeply committed” to adhering to all health and safety regulations, other vendors do not share the same view.
This creates significant challenges within the sector, which are often left unaddressed.
Ben said: “What makes this situation worse is that these stores don’t seem to be facing any repercussions, which in turn boosts trading.
“When younger people discover that a particular store or area sells vapes, this becomes quite concentrated, leading to certain areas becoming hotspots for illegal vapes.
“Stores must be held accountable.”
Ben’s shops were recently targeted in a series of burglaries, with two shops targeted in one night.
He said high demand is fueling theft and the search for illegal vapes.
“The illicit market not only undermines these efforts, but also poses serious health risks to users,” said Ben.
“We believe that responsible retail practices and stricter enforcement of age restrictions are crucial in tackling the illegal vape trade.
“As a company, we take all measures to prevent underage sales and ensure compliance with current health legislation.
“We are committed to working with regulators and other retailers to combat this problem and promote safe, legal and responsible vaping.”
‘Black market endangers health’
It is believed that a third of vapes currently sold in Britain are non-compliant, and this figure could rise significantly with the looming ban on disposable vapes coming into effect in 2025.
The increasing number of online searches shows the existence of a growing illegal market on the Internet.
Guy Lawler, director of Vapekit.co.uk said: “It is incredibly worrying to see how illegal vapes are becoming increasingly sought after in Britain, with many consumers having no idea that the products they are buying are untested and potentially unsafe. .
“Vapes are intended to help people quit smoking, but the ever-expanding black market is putting people’s health at risk.
“We strongly urge the government to prioritize public health and urgently tackle black market importers and retailers.”
Data was collected from Google Keyword Planner, which provides monthly and annual Google search volume data for key phrases and terms in the UK and for each UK region.