The Northern Echo

Illegal Vaping

2024

When visiting three stores in Durham City, Northern Echo reporter Phoebe Abruzzese found that she was able to purchase an illegal device with a puff count of over 15,000. The Echo reported: “Though legal limits are not set by vape puff count, it can be used as an indicator. Typically, devices that stick to the 2ml vape oil limit will be able to provide around 600 puffs, meaning devices that tout counts well into the thousands are likely to be over the limit.” Abruzzese also found that the devices carried incorrect health warnings or listed a mystery nicotine substitute, HRI.

The Echo have since referred their findings from the investigation to Durham County Council’s Trading Standards department, which have previously seized more than 6,500 illegal vapes since March 2022.

The investigation was praised by Darlington MP Peter Gibson for shining a light on the sale of contraband products. He said: “Next week in Parliament I’ve secured a debate on this important issue and on Friday we will be seeing the impact first-hand of the sale of illegal products on good decent local traders who only sell legal products.”

Echo editor Gavin Foster told HoldtheFrontPage: “What this investigation uncovered is extremely concerning. Vapes are supposed to be strictly licensed and regulated like cigarettes – but what Phoebe Abruzzese uncovered could not be further away from that.

“Illegal ‘super size’ vapes with high ‘puff count’ being blatantly displayed and advertised in stores – some 12-times the legal limit. Other stores selling items not on any advisory list and unrecognisable or known by trading watchdogs.

“We know that illegal vapes have a significant impact on health, but there are far more serious implications to consider.

“They are often targeted at young people and we know too that they are often sold by those involved in organised crime and we know too that they also being used to groom children both to sell them, and ferry them and in the most extreme cases for sexual exploitation.

“Illegal sales also impact hugely on decent traders who stick to the law. But the ease at which our reporter was able to get hold of illegal and unchecked vapes clearly shows that greater control is needed and action needs to be taken now.

“The issues is set to be debated in Parliament next week secured by Darlington MP Peter Gibson where he will highlight what we uncovered. Hopefully this may lead to action to tackle this smoking gun. The journalism and probe by Phoebe to highlight this issue should applauded.”