The 2025 Illegal Vapes Report
Vape Club, the UK’s largest online vape pod and vape kit retailer, gathered FOI data from local authorities to shed light on the UK’s illegal vape trade.
Vaping remains one of the most effective smoking cessation tools. To date, it has helped a significant number of individuals across the country quit cigarette smoking. According to new data from ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), nearly 3 million people in Britain have quit smoking with help from a vaping device in the last 5 years.
Unfortunately, there’s a growing problem with illegal black-market vapes in the UK, which are being imported and sold by unscrupulous retailers. This was evidenced in our landmark 2024 Illegal Vapes Report, which provided a nationwide overview of the issue for the first time. In this updated study - The 2025 Illegal Vapes Report - we provide the latest data on the issue.
The UK government is planning to bring The Tobacco and Vapes Bill into force from 1st June 2025, banning the sale of disposable vaping products. This move is predicted by many in the industry to further increase the risk of illegal vapes entering the market.
To promote meaningful action on the issue of illegal black market vapes, we’ve long called for a retail and distributor licensing framework to tackle dangerous illegal vapes head on. In this, our 2025 Illegal Vapes Report, data findings bolster evidence for the need for urgent measures to directly target the issue of illegal vapes entering and being sold in the UK.
Our mission here at Vape Club is to:- Raise awareness and expose the extent of the issue of illegal vaping products in the UK.
- Outline what’s needed from the government to stamp out the illegal vape market.
- Guide the public on how to identify illegal vaping products.
Methodology
To examine the issue of illegal vapes in the UK, we submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to all local authorities. Of these, 108 responded with data covering the period from 2020 to 2024. The information provided included the number of illegal vapes and cigarette packets seized, the number of sellers caught with illegal vapes, the fines or penalties issued for these offenses, and the number of retailers that have been given premises closure orders due to illegal vape operations.
Key Findings
- Two illegal vapes were seized every minute in 2024 as almost 1.2 million (1,187,849) were confiscated — the highest year on record and up 44% compared to the previous year.
- Nearly £9 million worth of illegal vapes were seized and taken off UK streets in 2024.
- Nearly 3 million (2,795,571) illegal vapes were seized between 2020-2024, worth almost £21 million.
- The number of illegal vapes seized has risen year-on-year since 2020, with a dramatic 100-fold increase.
- London’s illegal vape seizures doubled in 2024, compared to the previous year.
- Hillingdon has been targeted with Heathrow airport as the UK’s gateway for illegal vapes – the number accounted for 40% of the UK’s total in 2024.
- 1 in 10 identified cases led to a fine or penalty in 2024 for selling illegal vapes.
- 108 retailers were given premises closure orders in relation to illegal vape operations – over double that of 2023.
The UK’s Growing Illegal Vape Problem
Over the past five years nearly 3 million (2,795,571) illegal vapes were seized across the UK, worth almost £21 million. The data reveals a huge surge in enforcement activity with the number of illegal vapes seized increasing year-on-year since 2020.
Based on the latest data gathered for the 2025 report, in the last year alone local authorities seized almost 1.2 million illegal vapes (1,187,849). This is the highest year on record, and the equivalent of two illegal vapes were seized each minute.
These record-breaking numbers highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement and regulation to tackle the increasing prevalence of illicit vaping products.
Illegal vapes are the new illegal cigarettes – they need to be treated as such and similar structures put in place to control the sale, such as the proposed licensing scheme. The number of illegal cigarette packs confiscated in the UK has been steadily declining since 2022. In 2024, authorities seized 510,178 illegal cigarette packs, a 32% decrease from the 747,738 packs confiscated in 2023.
From the 1st of June 2025, the government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill will enable Trading Standards Officers to issue £200 ’on the spot’ fines in England and Wales to clamp down on offences. While this is progress, it doesn't go far enough - we would’ve liked to see those fines increased to at least £10,000 and increase the fine for repeat offenders.
The best deterrent for any crime is the likelihood of being caught and right now that is incredibly low, and rogue retailers are taking full advantage of this. We have to create an environment where there is much more chance of being caught.
We strongly believe that retailers and B2B distribution of the products should be licensed, as this will generate the revenue needed for border force and trading standards to be able to catch a much greater amount of illegal products coming into the country before they hit the shelves.
Dan Marchant, Director of Vape Club
Tackling the Illegal Vape Trade
As the illegal vape black market continues to trade, there were 1,435 identified cases of businesses or individuals being in possession of, stocking, or selling illegal vaping products in 2024. Despite an average of four cases being identified each day across the year, only 10% were issued a fine or penalty.
While fines are infrequent, there has been progress in shutting down illegal operations at their roots. In 2024, 108 retailers were given premises closure orders in relation to illegal vape operations – over double the number issued in 2023. This progress indicates a shift in enforcement strategies, focused on preventing retailers making any profits if caught stocking or supplying illicit vapes. Despite these measures, financial penalties saw a decline in 2024.
A total of £48,062 worth of fines were issued for illegal vape offenses, £20,000 lower than the previous year. This calls into question the effectiveness of fines as a deterrent and the resources allocated to enforcing them. To properly address the issue, stronger penalties and more consistent enforcement are needed to ensure that offenders face meaningful consequences.
Top Councils Cracking Down on the Illegal Vape Trade in 2024
- Lincolnshire: 52 identified illegal vape sales, 40 fines issued and 50 retailers issued closure orders due to illegal vape operations.
- Liverpool: 147 identified illegal vape sales and 27 retailers issued closure orders due to illegal vape operations.
- Lancashire: 124 identified illegal vape sales and 17 fines issued.
- Worcestershire: All 35 identified illegal vape sales received a fine/penalty.
Where are the UK’s illegal vape hotspots?
| Local Authority | Illegal Vapes Seized | % Change (2024 vs 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| London Borough of Hillingdon | 484,954 | +116.06% |
| Essex County Council | 333,600 | +14,199.19% |
| Liverpool City Council | 29,180 | +48.7% |
| Manchester City Council | 26,007 | -83.59% |
| Lancashire County Council | 21,501 | -54.01% |
| Newport City Council | 21,169 | +173.22% |
| Birmingham City Council | 14,429 | +180.67% |
| Lincolnshire County Council | 12,681 | +5.54% |
| Warwickshire County Council | 11,218 | -20.66% |
| Nottingham City Council | 10,493 | +39.05% |
England:
In 2024, more than 1.1 million (1,142,917) illegal vapes were seized in England. London led the way, contributing to nearly half (47%) of all the illegal vape seizures in England. England’s top three councils Hillingdon, Essex, and Liverpool all reported increases compared to 2023.
England’s Illegal Vape Enforcement in 2024:
- 1,256 identified cases of illegal vaping products stocked or sold, an 8% decrease compared to 2023.
- 122 fines/penalties were issued – worth a total of £46,294.
- 93 retailers were issued with orders to close their premises.
London
In 2024, over half a million (534,024) illegal vapes were seized from London boroughs, nearly double the figure from 2023.
The capital is being defended across its major borders in surrounding boroughs and counties. The London Borough of Hillingdon, home to Heathrow Airport, accounted for 40% of the UK’s total seizures in 2024 and has seen over one million illegal vapes confiscated over the past five years.
Essex County Council has seen a significant rise in illegal vape seizures over the last year. With 333,600 illegal vapes refused entry at the port, the council area ranks second highest in the UK for number seized.
Meanwhile, the London Borough of Merton recorded a 20-fold increase in illegal vape seizures, highlighting the intensifying enforcement efforts across the capital.
London’s Illegal Vape Enforcement in 2024:
- 137 identified cases of illegal vaping products stocked or sold in 2024.
- Only 8 fines/penalties were issued in the capital, fines averaged just £984 – less than half the maximum fine of £2,500.
Wales
In Wales, 30,379 illegal vapes were seized in 2024, a 10% decrease compared to 2023. The majority of these confiscations came from Newport, which accounted for 70% of Wales’ total. Over 20,000 illegal vapes were seized in the area, highlighting Newport as a significant focus of enforcement efforts.
Wales’ Illegal Vape Enforcement in 2024:
- 82 identified cases of illegal vaping products were stocked or sold in 2024, a 9% increase compared to the previous year.
- 5 fines/penalties were issued.
- 10 premises were ordered to be closed – half of which were in Newport.
Scotland
In Scotland, 14,553 illegal vapes were seized in 2024, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. The highest numbers of confiscations were reported in the councils of Renfrewshire Council - the home of Glasgow airport (3,814), Highland Council (3,480), and the City of Edinburgh Council (2,800), making these areas leading hotspots for illegal vape seizures in the country.
Scotland’s Illegal Vape Enforcement in 2024:
- 56 identified cases of illegal vaping products stocked or sold in 2024 – down 65% compared to the previous year.
- 21 fines/penalties were issued – totalling just £850.
- 3 premises were ordered to be closed in South Lanarkshire.
How to spot an illegal vape
To decrease the risk of innocent vapers being exploited by the vaping black market there are tell-tale signs of illegal vaping products to look out for. If you see a vaping product being sold with any one of the below features, it should be avoided:
- Volume of e-liquid is over 2ml (not including refillable disposables or big puff disposables, which come with separate refill containers).
- Nicotine level is higher than 20mg/ml.
- Poor quality packaging with low-resolution photos or labels.
- Packaging doesn’t show required nicotine warnings.
- Packaging doesn’t display a full ingredient list. These should be visible with allergens highlighted.
- No authentication code or a photocopied fake in its place.
- Device name or labelling in a foreign language.
For more information, we recommend you read our how to spot a counterfeit vape guide. If in doubt, never purchase a vape that you think might be a counterfeit – it’s never worth the risk.
