A team of officers dedicated to tackling illicit products have in the past six months, seized approximately 12,000 vapes from businesses across the Bolton borough.
Illegal vapes have been found in a variety of places within premises, with some displayed at point of sale as well as those more discreetly hidden in locked stockrooms.
Just under 3,000 illegal vapes were seized from one premises alone.
Typically bought for around £6 per device, and sold for between £10 -13 each, this puts the total retail value at more than £30,000.
Businesses raided include convenience stores, off-licences, mobile phone shops and petrol stations.
The premises are now being further investigated and may be subject to prosecution and possible closure orders.
All vapes seized have now been sent for recycling.
Cllr Sue Haworth, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services said:
“Illegal vapes are unregulated and often contain illegal ingredients which can damage the health of adults and children.
“We continue to look at enforcement options like closure orders that will deliver a long-term solution to combating the problem.
“Since May 2023, we have formally issued three cautions to illegal traders and have sent fifty warning letters for non-compliant vapes and illicit tobacco.
“Tackling the sale of illegal vapes continues to be a priority for this council.”
Anyone with information about the sale of suspected illegal vapes, tobacco or underage sales in Bolton should contact trading standards at trading.standards@bolton.gov.uk.
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