Redbridge Council seizes £50K of illegal vapes in just one week
Published: 02 October 2025
Redbridge Council has seized 4,000 illegal vapes in just one week as part of a zero-tolerance crackdown. The haul, worth £50,000, came from just six shop inspections carried out by Trading Standards officers.
Single-use vapes were banned earlier this year by the UK Government due to health risks and their appeal to children and teenagers through sweet flavours and colourful packaging.
Businesses caught stocking and selling these illegal vapes face an unlimited fine, or a prison sentence of up to two years.
This latest operation signals Redbridge Council’s commitment to a safer, vape-free borough, with fresh investment in Trading Standards to tackle harmful and illegal goods.
Councillor Khayer Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “I am expanding our Trading Standards team by recruiting new officers and the goal is to visit every vape shop in the borough. To those selling illegal and harmful single-use vapes to our children and young people, know this: We are coming, we will seize your goods, and we will prosecute you. Take this as notice that Redbridge will not stand for unsafe and illegal products being sold to young people.”
The crackdown in Redbridge is supported with the wider launch of ‘Say Something Save Someone’, a new anonymous reporting platform designed to help children and teenagers raise concerns about the sale and use of vapes in their communities.
Developed by London Trading Standards, the initiative enables young people to share vital information about how vapes are being obtained — including illegal sales or giveaways by local retailers — helping authorities act swiftly to protect children from harm.
Tracy Parr, Programme Director of the London Tobacco Alliance, added: “The work done by Trading Standards teams across London is invaluable in reducing the harm caused by illegal trade in tobacco and vapes. The launch of this reporting tool for young people is a great innovation and will help drive this work forward.”
Got something to report? If you see retailers selling illegal or harmful vape products, you can also report them anonymously by contacting the Citizen's Advice consumer service. Your information could help protect young people and keep our communities safe.
