Massive haul of 24,000 illegal vapes seized in Newcastle

A total of 24,000 vapes containing more than double the legal limit of nicotine have been seized from a former takeaway shop in the West End of Newcastle, reports stated on Monday (22).

Newcastle City Council’s trading standards team last week said to have seized more than 2,000 boxes of e-cigarettes estimated to be worth more than £190,000.

A criminal investigation has been launched in the matter and charges could be brought against the owner of the haul.

Most of the haul contained Elf and Geek Bar Pros with nicotine levels of 50 mg/ml – more than double the legal limit. In the UK, it is illegal to sell e-liquids with a nicotine strength of more than 20mg/ml.

There also have been complaints that pupils were using these vapes in local schools, who brought the matter to the attention of local authorities.

One vape refill is equal to 125 cigarettes and could be toxic if consumed by children, reports said.

Cabinet member for Housing and Regulation, Coun Linda Hobson, said: “These e-cigarettes contain nicotine levels way above the legal limit which means they should not be being sold – particularly to children who might suffer toxic effects.

“We want parents to know what they are so they can warn their kids not to take them.

“I’d like to thank schools for bringing this to our attention and congratulate our Trading Standards team for investigating this, and taking this potentially dangerous haul off our streets.”

Claiming  vaping products play an important role in supporting tobacco smokers to switch to a less harmful form of nicotine, Newcastle’s Director of Public Health, Prof Eugene Milne, however, warned the use of vapes by children.