Wales illegal vape hotspots revealed as over 30,000 devices seized in 2024
Calls grow for licensing scheme amid enforcement concerns
NEW data has revealed the Welsh hotspots for illegal vape sales, with over 30,000 illicit and unregulated products seized in 2024 – the equivalent of one every 20 minutes.
The worst-affected area was Newport, where Newport City Council confiscated more than 21,000 illegal vapes last year – an increase of 173% compared to 2023. The city accounted for a third of all illegal vape seizures in Wales. Over the past three years, 49 premises closure orders have been issued in the area.
Flintshire recorded the second highest number of seizures, with 4,545 illicit vapes removed from sale – up 170% on the previous year.
The findings come from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to 108 local authorities by Vape Club, and are published in the 2025 Illegal Vapes Report. The research lays bare the scale of the UK's growing illegal vape market.
Wales' top five illegal vape hotspots in 2024
Newport City Council: 21,169 devices seized
Flintshire County Council: 4,545 devices seized
Carmarthenshire County Council: 1,850 devices seized
Gwynedd Council: 721 devices seized
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council: 607 devices seized
Despite 82 recorded instances of illegal vape sales in Wales last year, only five penalties were issued. Closure orders were served to just ten retailers – representing only 12% of reported cases. The figures have prompted growing concern over inadequate enforcement.
Across the UK, 1.2 million illegal vapes were seized in 2024 – a 44% increase from the previous year. That equates to two illegal vapes seized every minute.
Industry experts are calling for the introduction of a Vape Retailer and Distributor Licensing Scheme to help tackle the issue. Without stricter controls and additional resources for enforcement, they warn the illegal trade could surge – especially following the UK Government's planned ban on disposable vapes this June.
Dan Marchant, Director at Vape Club, said:
'The real issue of illicit vape sales lies in the inadequate enforcement of current regulations and the weak penalties for offenders. With the disposable vape ban coming into force, we risk a flood of dangerous, unregulated products entering the UK, all because the core issue has not been addressed.
'This boils down to lacklustre fines and no structured funding for Trading Standards. That's why we strongly support a robust retail and distribution licensing scheme, with revenues ringfenced for proactive enforcement.
'This funding could give Border Force the resources to stop more illegal products at the border, and allow Trading Standards to crack down on rogue retailers and impose meaningful penalties.'
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