Latest news with #AlexFry
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
13% of ‘nicotine-free' vapes contain the addictive substance
Some 13% of supposedly 'nicotine-free' vapes on sale in the UK contain the highly-addictive substance, a Trading Standards investigation has suggested. Trading Standards teams from the organisation's Heart of the South West, Salford and Berkshire operations tested 76 products sold as 'nicotine free' as part of Operation Joseph, a Department of Health and Social Care-funded initiative tracking the sale of illicit vapes and underage sales. About one in every eight of the products (13.2%) were found to contain nicotine in amounts ranging from 0.06 mg/ml to 27.02 mg/ml – around the amount delivered by a pack of 20 cigarettes. All 10 products found to contain nicotine were also found to exceed the limit on the amount of e-liquid permitted in vapes, with two exceeding both the e-liquid and nicotine strength limit. As a result, consumers thinking they were buying nicotine-free products would have been exposed to nicotine in significant quantities with eight of the 10 failed samples. National Trading Standards chairman Lord Michael Bichard said: 'Nicotine-free vapes can be a useful tool to quit smoking and reduce nicotine dependency, but these findings reveal that people can actually continue to be stuck in a cycle of addiction if sold the highly-addictive substance unknowingly. 'Businesses should be aware vapes falsely claiming to be nicotine free are in circulation and should make sure they are not breaking the law by selling products that are falsely advertised, especially where they are importing goods or acting as the main UK distributor. 'I urge businesses and consumers to be vigilant and report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service by calling 0808 223 1133.' Alex Fry, operations officer for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said: 'We are pleased to have contributed to and helped co-ordinate the sampling of this project. 'We recognise how important it is for regulators and legislators to have up-to-date intelligence on what products are being supplied to consumers. 'Trading Standards are at the forefront of ensuring products comply with legal requirements and we hope that the findings will provide valuable intelligence, and help shape the future regulation of cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.' Sign in to access your portfolio
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
13% of ‘nicotine-free' vapes contain the addictive substance
Some 13% of supposedly 'nicotine-free' vapes on sale in the UK contain the highly-addictive substance, a Trading Standards investigation has suggested. Trading Standards teams from the organisation's Heart of the South West, Salford and Berkshire operations tested 76 products sold as 'nicotine free' as part of Operation Joseph, a Department of Health and Social Care-funded initiative tracking the sale of illicit vapes and underage sales. About one in every eight of the products (13.2%) were found to contain nicotine in amounts ranging from 0.06 mg/ml to 27.02 mg/ml – around the amount delivered by a pack of 20 cigarettes. All 10 products found to contain nicotine were also found to exceed the limit on the amount of e-liquid permitted in vapes, with two exceeding both the e-liquid and nicotine strength limit. As a result, consumers thinking they were buying nicotine-free products would have been exposed to nicotine in significant quantities with eight of the 10 failed samples. National Trading Standards chairman Lord Michael Bichard said: 'Nicotine-free vapes can be a useful tool to quit smoking and reduce nicotine dependency, but these findings reveal that people can actually continue to be stuck in a cycle of addiction if sold the highly-addictive substance unknowingly. 'Businesses should be aware vapes falsely claiming to be nicotine free are in circulation and should make sure they are not breaking the law by selling products that are falsely advertised, especially where they are importing goods or acting as the main UK distributor. 'I urge businesses and consumers to be vigilant and report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service by calling 0808 223 1133.' Alex Fry, operations officer for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said: 'We are pleased to have contributed to and helped co-ordinate the sampling of this project. 'We recognise how important it is for regulators and legislators to have up-to-date intelligence on what products are being supplied to consumers. 'Trading Standards are at the forefront of ensuring products comply with legal requirements and we hope that the findings will provide valuable intelligence, and help shape the future regulation of cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.'
BBC News
19-02-2025
- BBC News
Illegal tobacco and vapes seized from Newton Abbot shop
Police have seized £7,500 worth of suspected illegal tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes from a shop in haul from premises in Newton Abbot, included 529 packs of cigarettes, 414 pouches of tobacco, and more than 30 non-UK compliant and Somerset Trading Standards which was involved with Devon and Cornwall Police in the operation, said sellers of these products often undercut legitimate businesses and targeted children."We will continue to target them based on intelligence received from consumers, legitimate businesses, or partner agencies," said operations manager Alex Fry. 'Information is essential' Sgt Joe Downton, who led the operation on 28 January, said: "These types of illegal goods aren't regulated, which means they don't go through the usual safety procedures required by law."Insp James Johnson urged the public to report any suspected illegal activity."We can't know everything and we can't be everywhere all the time, your information is essential," he can be reported to Trading Standards via email at tradingstandards@ or by phone at 01392 383000.
