Report says illegal vapes “threaten UK high streets” as 55% of councils seized thousands last year

Key Takeaways

• Report claims nearly 5 million illegal vapes seized in three years, with a street value of £39m (USD equivalent not provided; exchange-rate basis not stated)
• It says 1.3 million were seized last year; 55% of council areas seized thousands over the year
• Central Bedfordshire recorded 345,718 seizures and is cited as leading nationally; proximity to Luton Airport mentioned
• Hillingdon has the highest cumulative total over three years but saw a drop in 2025; Kent cited as a major hotspot with named entry points
• Vape Club and UKVIA figures call for a vape retail and distributor licensing scheme and more funding/resources for Trading Standards

2Firsts, Feb 26 2026 – 

According to the talkingretail report, the latest annual Illegal Vapes and Nicotine Product Report says nearly 5 million illegal vapes have been seized over the last three years—equivalent to three seized every minute—with a street value of £39m (USD equivalent not provided in the source; exchange-rate basis not stated).

The report says 1.3 million illegal vapes were seized last year, based on the latest UK council data, and it identifies illegal vape “hotspots” as high streets continue to be affected.

It states that more than half (55%) of UK council areas seized thousands of illegal products over the last year, with the top five councils for seizures located near key trade hubs.

The data was gathered from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to local councils across the UK and compiled by Vape Club, described as the UK’s largest online vaping retailer, as part of its annual report. Following the report, industry leaders called on the government to “get a grip of the issue and put the correct framework in place” as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill undergoes the Report Stage in the House of Lords.

The report says Central Bedfordshire Council led nationally with 345,718 illegal vapes seized—described as a threefold rise—attributed in part to its proximity to Luton Airport as illicit imports shift away from Heathrow. It adds that the London Borough of Hillingdon, bordering Heathrow, has the highest seizures cumulatively over three years but saw a drop in 2025, suggesting the black market is adapting its routes.

Kent is described as a significant hotspot, with Dover, Eurotunnel and the Dartford parcel hub identified by the council as key entry points. The report also says the North West remains one of the UK’s biggest hotspots, with Manchester, Liverpool and Bolton collectively seizing over 322,000 illegal vapes in 2025; Bolton’s 467% year-on-year increase is cited as indicating the region’s black market shows no signs of slowing.

The report quotes Dan Marchant (Dan Marchant), a director at Vape Club and a founder member of the UKVIA, urging the government to take the right steps in upcoming regulation and saying Trading Standards should be given the resources to tackle illegal sales. It also quotes UKVIA director general John Dunne (John Dunne) calling the findings alarming and urging urgent action, warning that a single-use vapes ban would increase illegal sales and that vape duty would “undoubtedly” trigger another spike. Dunne also says Trading Standards have undertaken fewer inspections this year than in the previous 12 months and reiterates calls for a vape retail and distributor licensing scheme, which he says could provide upwards of £50m a year to fund Trading Standards, alongside robust enforcement backed by £10,000 fines.

Image source: talkingretail