Thousands Of Illegal Vapes Seized Across Sussex As Trading Standards Crack Down

Thousands of illegal vaping products have been seized across Sussex in recent years as Trading Standards officers continue to tackle the sale of unlawful and potentially dangerous devices.

Figures show that between 2021 and 2025, more than 64,000 illegal vapes were confiscated across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

Brighton & Hove Trading Standards officers seized more than 28,000 illegal vaping products during the period.

In West Sussex, more than 24,000 devices were taken off the market, while East Sussex officers seized almost 12,000.

The products seized include vapes that exceed legal nicotine strength limits, have tanks larger than permitted by law, lack required health warnings or manufacturer details, and single-use vapes which were banned in 2025.

Trading Standards officers say illegal vapes remain a concern, particularly as consumers may be unaware of what substances the products contain.

Across the wider South East, more than three million illegal vapes were seized over five years, with council teams at Channel ports in Kent intercepting the majority of devices before they reached shops.

Jim Whiddett, operations manager for Kent Trading Standards, said stopping illegal vapes at the border has been key to disrupting supply chains.

“Most vapes are manufactured overseas, so intercepting them before they enter the country is an effective way of preventing illegal products reaching retailers and consumers,” he said.

In 2025 alone, councils across the South East seized more than 556,000 illegal vaping products, a sharp increase compared to figures from four years earlier.

The peak year for seizures was 2023, when more than 1.5 million illegal vapes were confiscated across the region.

Since June 2025, it has been illegal for businesses in the UK to sell, supply or possess single-use vapes for sale.

The ban was introduced to protect children’s health and reduce environmental damage.

Under the legislation, only reusable vapes can be sold legally.

Devices must have a rechargeable battery, a replaceable coil and be refillable.

Despite the ban, Trading Standards officers say single-use vapes are still being found in Sussex shops.

Retailers caught selling illegal vaping products can face an initial £200 fine, with repeat offences carrying unlimited fines or prison sentences of up to two years.

The UK Vaping Industry Association says the majority of vape retailers operate within the law and carry out strict age checks, but claims responsible businesses are increasingly being undercut by illegal traders.

The government has confirmed £30 million of new funding for enforcement agencies during the 2025/26 financial year, including Trading Standards, Border Force and HMRC, to tackle illegal and underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.