Essex sees a 14,000% rise in illegal vape seizures
Essex has experienced a significant surge in illegal vape seizures, with a 14,000% increase in one year.Summary
Essex has seen a dramatic rise in the seizure of illegal vapes, becoming the location with the most seizures outside of London. Confiscations by Essex County Council totaled 333,600 illegal vapes between 2020 and 2024, coinciding with a national 44% increase in seizures in 2024, reaching over 1.2 million. Operation Machinize, launched in November 2025, raided 36 shops, finding illegal items in over 80% of them and seizing 4,300 vapes and £75,000 worth of illicit goods. These illegal products often contain dangerous levels of nicotine and exceed legal e-liquid capacities, yet enforcement is limited, with only 10% of cases resulting in penalties. While the council disputes the label of 'hotspot,' attributing the increase to greater resources dedicated to disrupting the trade, experts warn of the serious health risks associated with unregulated vaping devices.
(Source：The Gazette)
