Thousands of vapes seized in Suffolk as officials crack down

The government passed a second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill last week, legislation which would ban vapes and nicotine products being sold to under 18s as it looks to create the first "smoke-free generation".

New figures from Suffolk Trading Standards, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, show the number of illegal vapes seized by officers has more than tripled since 2022. 

So far this year, 4,844 illegal vape products have been seized by Trading Standards, up from 1,253 in 2022. In 2023, there were 3,674 vapes taken off the streets. 

Steve Wiles, cabinet member for public health and protection at Suffolk County Council (Image: Suffolk County Council) Steve Wiles, cabinet member for public health and protection at Suffolk County Council, said the authority is looking to address the rise in vaping among children.

He said: "We are working to address the rise in youth vaping by highlighting its health risks, including lung damage particularly from the unknown ingredients in illegal vapes and the highly addictive nature of nicotine, which can harm the developing brains of young people."

The county council has developed resources for schools, such as education programs and awareness campaigns, to educate youngsters on the dangers of vaping. 

Mr Wiles, Conservative councillor for Felixstowe Coastal, added that through enforcement action, it is hoped vaping can be reduced and "young people’s long-term health” protected.

“I support the Tobacco and Vapes Bill’s ambitious plans to protect children from vaping, including ban on vape advertising and sale of vapes in vending machines, in addition to restricting vape flavours, packaging and shop display," he continued. 

Dr Peter Prinsley believes vapes have become an addiction of their own (Image: Houses of Parliament) As part of the proposed new legislation, the government will provide an extra £10million to trading standards bodies across the country to stamp out the illegal trade. 

Data from National Trading Standards shows over one million illicit vapes were seized across the country in 2023-24, a rise of 59% on the previous year.

Efforts from Suffolk Trading Standards has been focused across the county. 

Of the 17 raids carried out so far in 2024, 10 were in Ipswich and three in Lowestoft. 

Thousands of illegal vape products have been seized by Suffolk Trading Standards officers (Image: Suffolk Trading Standards) Seizures have also taken place in Felixstowe, Stowmarket, Haverhill and Sudbury. 

Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket MP Dr Peter Prinsley believes "vapes have become an addiction of their own."

“Although they were introduced with the promise of curtailing smoking, vapes have become an addiction of their own," he said.

"Sweet-flavoured or brightly packaged vapes can be particularly dangerous because of their attraction to children. I am glad that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill comfortably passed its second reading this week.

"It will tackle the scourge of addiction to cigarettes and vapes and, by banning single use vapes, prevent a large degree of waste and litter.”

Mid Suffolk District Councillor, Colin Lay (Image: Mid Suffolk District Council)

Government officials say youth vaping has been "more than doubling" in the last five years, while one-in-four 11-15-year olds tried vaping in 2023.

Colin Lay, Mid Suffolk District Council ward member for Stow Thorney, believes the market is "flooded" with counterfeit products. 

He said: "It does worry me when I go through Stowmarket and other town centres, you can see children go past and they look in as it is all brightly coloured. It is a huge worry I think. 

"Usually the High Street attracts trends. There is obviously a market there.

"It does not really show any signs of the numbers dropping. The numbers of people is only increasing."