Over 10,000 illegal vapes seized in Oxfordshire

Total seizures of illegal disposable vapes across Oxfordshire reached 10,000, the county council has revealed.

Issuing a warning about the dangers of illegal disposable vapes, the council said the seizures reflects a national trend amid safety concerns and a proposed ban on disposable vapes.

Figures from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) charity suggest 7.6 per cent of 11 to 17 year olds now vape regularly or occasionally, up from 4.1 per cent in 2020.

“Rechargeable vapes are a proven tool for adult smokers to help with quitting smoking and are almost twice as effective as other forms of nicotine replacement therapy,” Cllr Dr Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for public health, inequalities and community safety, said.

“However, they should not be used by children or non-smokers as nicotine is highly addictive, with withdrawal sometimes causing anxiety, trouble concentrating and headaches. This is alongside other unknown long-term effects on health.”

Jody Kerman, Oxfordshire County Council’s head of trading standards, added: “We have recently seen a very concerning but unfortunately predictable development where reasonably sophisticated concealments, secured by electromagnet, have been used in an attempt to evade detection. This is clear evidence that illegal vapes are now being deliberately sold by organised crime groups.”