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Illegal Tobacco
Some tobacco and vapes are sold cheap, illegally, and under the radar—without proper taxes paid or health warnings displayed. This is known as illegal tobacco and illegal vapes, and it’s an escalating issue here in Wales.
Sold at pocket money prices, these products make it easier for children to start smoking or vaping and harder for adults to quit. Beyond personal health risks, they harm communities, support criminal activity, and undermine public health protections. But together, we can tackle this growing problem and create safer, healthier communities.
If you spot any suspicious activity you can report it here: No Ifs. No Butts.
Why it Matters?
Target Children
Cheap prices and easy access make it more likely for young people to start smoking or vaping, increasing their risk of addiction.
Harm Health
Illegal products are often unregulated and can contain unsafe levels of nicotine and other harmful substances.
Fuels Crime
The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes supports organised crime, harming communities and threatening safety.
Undermine Laws
These products bypass vital health protections like taxation, packaging warnings, and safety standards.
How You Can Help?
If you suspect someone is selling illegal tobacco or vapes, report it anonymously on our No Ifs. No Butts. portal. Together, we can make a difference and create safer, healthier communities in Wales.
What Are Illegal Tobacco and Vapes?
Illegal Tobacco
- Smuggled: Also known as "illicit whites," or "cheap whites" these are foreign brands brought into the UK illegally and sold on the black market.
- Fake Brands: These might look like a popular brand, but they’re made illegally.
- Bootlegged: Smuggled into the UK with no-duty paid (packages often display foreign languages and a lack of health warnings).
- Sold Individually: Selling cigarettes one by one is illegal in many places. If you see someone selling individual cigarettes, it’s likely illegal.
Illegal Vapes
- Excessively Strong Vapes: Some illegal vapes contain much more nicotine than allowed, making them stronger than legal products
- Fake Brands: Fake versions of popular vape brands, often looking similar but not meeting legal standards.
- Underage Sales: Products sold without proper age checks, making them accessible to children.
- Smuggled Vapes: brought from other countries might not follow UK rules and can include ingredients that are banned here.
How To Spot It?
How to Spot Illegal Tobacco?
- No Picture Health Warnings: Legal packs should display large health warnings with pictures. If they’re missing or unclear, the product may be fake.
- Non-Standardised Packaging: Cigarette packs in the UK must be plain and standardised. Bright or branded packs are likely illegal.
- Foreign Language Labels: Health warnings in another language suggest the product wasn’t made for the UK market.
- Identical Codes: Every pack should have a unique code. If multiple packs have the same code, they could be counterfeit.
- Unusually Low Prices: Legal tobacco is expensive. If you’re offered tobacco for £4–£5, it’s likely illegal.
- Sold Individually: Cigarettes sold one by one are illegal in the UK.
How to Spot Illegal Vapes?
- High Puff Count: Legal disposable vapes are capped at 600 puffs. Products offering thousands of puffs are illegal.
- Excessive Liquid: Vape devices must hold no more than 2ml of e-liquid. Anything over this is against UK law.
- High Nicotine Levels: Vapes must not exceed 20mg/ml (2%) nicotine strength. Stronger vapes, like those at 50mg/ml, are illegal.
- No Health Warnings: Packaging should include clear warnings in English. Missing or foreign labels are a red flag.
- Unknown Brands: Be cautious of brands you’ve never heard of, especially if they mimic well-known ones.
- Unusually Low Prices: If a vape is far cheaper than usual, it could be illegal.
- Non-Compliant Packaging: Legal vapes must have child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging. Missing these features? Likely illegal.
Key Stats
- 10% of the tobacco market in Wales is illegal (2022).
- 40% of smokers in Wales have been offered illegal tobacco.
- 25% of smokers purchase illegal tobacco, accounting for 30% of their consumption.
- The most common sources: private addresses (39%) and social media platforms.
- 54% of young people aged 11-16 in Wales have heard of illegal tobacco.
- 55% of young vapers in Wales use untested, illegal vapes (ASH Wales Youth Survey 2024)
- In 2022, an estimated 88,000 people in Wales were buying illegal tobacco.
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