Latest news with #NationalTradingStandards
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
01-03-2025
- BBC News
Brookside star Philip Foster jailed for modelling fraud
A former Brookside actor who masterminded a £13.6million fraud operation that conned thousands of would-be models has been Foster, 49, who played Christian Wright in the Liverpool soap, ran a network of fake modelling agencies for more than eight years. Foster, who lived in Marbella, Spain, was given an eight and a half-year prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday for conspiracy to other people were sentenced in relation to the fraud and an arrest warrant was issued for Foster and an associate after both failed to appear in court. More than 6,000 victims parted with money on the false promise of securing paid modelling work from Foster, whose address was given as Chermside Road, Liverpool, but who operated from his base in used a network of associates in England to operate a string of sham modelling agencies and photography studios in cities including London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Coventry and scam was uncovered in a six-year investigation by National Trading Standards (NTS).After sentencing, NTS chairman Lord Bichard said Foster's "cruel exploits left thousands of victims in serious debt, causing lasting emotional distress and significant financial pressures". Payday loans Victims first received emails telling them they had potential after they responded to a social media advertising were invited to a "free" test shoot at a photographic studio where they were handed glossy brochures and told they had passed their studio test, but would need to buy a portfolio of images for the modelling agencies who were interested in victims used credit deals arranged by the fraudsters or expensive payday loans to make the upfront return, they got poor quality digital photographs which stood no real chance of landing them professional jobs and most did not get paid modelling work. The sham agencies, which paid no tax, existed for short periods before being dissolved and from the scam was laundered through UK bank accounts before being transferred to Spain, or carried in cash on commercial flights by co-conspirators, the NTS Yorkshire councillor Greg White said: "Foster and his fellow scammers cruelly exploited young hopefuls trying to break into one of the most competitive industries."In some cases, parents borrowed money or sacrificed savings believing they were investing in their children's futures."Foster bought high-end watches and cars with his share of the proceeds, while many victims told NTS investigators they had been left financially and emotionally devastated and felt humiliated and experienced lasting distress that affected their confidence, wellbeing and ability to trust others, the court heard. The other defendants sentenced for conspiracy to defraud were:Michael Foster, 27, of Florence Gardens in Hereford and who failed to turn up to court, was jailed for three and a half yearsJamie Peters, 52, of Warrington, received a suspended 24-month prison sentenceLisa Foster, 42, of Manchester Road in Astley, was given an 18-month suspended prison sentenceEmily Newall, 29, of Bolton Road, Kearsley, was handed a 10-month suspended prison sentenceAtif Qadar, 44, of Larkswood Drive in Crowthorne, got a suspended 12-month prison sentencePaul Fleury, 57, of Manchester Road, Swinton, received a suspended 18-month prison sentenceAdditionally, the following sentences were passed for charges relating to money laundering:Paul Evans, 39, of no known address, jailed for three and a half yearsAslihan Foster, 39, of Tredington Road, Coventry, received an18-month suspended prison sentence Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
