UK Allocates £10M to Combat Illicit Tobacco and Vaping Products
The UK government announced on March 23 that it will provide £10 million in funding to Trading Standards to support local enforcement efforts against illicit tobacco and vaping products. The new funding will enable the addition of 80 trainee enforcement officers to prevent harmful products from entering community stores and to curb underage purchases.
Enforcement officers will collaborate with local police to target organized crime groups operating illegal vaping businesses online. Trading Standards will conduct targeted seizure actions and deploy sniffer dogs to locate hidden illicit vaping products in stores.
These measures build upon existing initiatives, including the £100 million “Illicit Tobacco Strategy” launched by HM Revenue & Customs and Border Force. The upcoming vape tax in 2026 will also introduce new civil and criminal powers, enhance product seizure authority, and supplement over 200 compliance officers.
The bill will introduce £200 on-the-spot fines for violations of age restriction sales in England and Wales, and empower a licensing system for retailers selling tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of the National Trading Standards Board, emphasized the importance of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in providing support to Trading Standards teams as they work alongside other enforcement partners to help the government achieve its smokefree generation goal.
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