MPs have joined forces to address concerns regarding the illicit vape market.
In a recent parliamentary debate, Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, took the lead in addressing the issue and received support from fellow MPs pushing for tougher punishments against those selling non-compliant vape products.
It comes ahead of the government’s response to the recent public consultation on vaping which closed last month.
Gibson explained that the illicit trade is ”robbing trade from our legitimate traders”.
”My primary concern is the use and sale of illegal vapes, which do not always comply with our legislation and often have much higher concentrations of nicotine. They are sold with much higher capacities than their legal equivalents. It is estimated that a staggering one out of every three vapes sold in the UK is illicit. They are being sold with no care whatever for the user,” he said.
Speaking at the debate, Mary Kelly Foy, MP for Durham, stressed the need for robust regulation and enforcement at a local level. “I am shocked at the extent of illicit, non-compliant and even untraceable vaping products in my constituency. Over 6,000 illicit vapes were seized last year across County Durham, with three prosecutions linked to underage sales and illicit vapes.”
Foy also called on the government to increase support for Trading Standards. “Trading standards workers in Durham are at full capacity, so when will they receive something from the £30 million that was announced in October to help them do their job?”
Dame Andrea Leadsom, also part of the debate, revealed that measures to strengthen enforcement such as introducing new fixed penalty notices are being discussed. “We are in the process of finalising our response to the consultation and will update Parliament shortly on the measures we are taking forward,” she said.
“My message to people and businesses that sell illegal vapes is clear: they should stop it right now. If they do not, they may receive an unlimited fine or a custodial sentence of up to two years. However, there is no room for complacency, and I am not naive to the scale of the challenge.”
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