Tackling the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes in County Durham has been identified as a key priority by the local authority. 

Durham County Council has stepped up its work with the police and local enforcement teams to crackdown on the sales of alcohol, tobacco and vapes to underage children in response to worries around the harms of illicit products. 

The council said 64,000 illicit cigarettes and 28kg of tobacco have been seized in the 11 months to January 2023, while legal action has been taken against several premises, resulting in two closures and two businesses changing hands. 

Officers have also discovered products on sale that were outside legal limits in terms of nicotine dosage which can be dangerous, especially for young people. Test purchases have been carried out throughout the county to catch those breaking the rules. 

Shildon Mini Market and Ferryhill Mini Market were both forced to close for three months after illegal tobacco was being sold. And earlier this June, hundreds of illegal oversized vapes - including a brightly coloured product shaped like a children's toy - were seized in County Durham. Three shops were raided, however the council will not reveal where they are. 

The Northern Echo: Hundreds of illegal oversized vapes – including a brightly coloured product shaped like a children’s toy – have been seized in a huge County Durham crackdown.Hundreds of illegal oversized vapes – including a brightly coloured product shaped like a children’s toy – have been seized in a huge County Durham crackdown. (Image: Durham County Council)

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Products have been found on sale with incorrect labelling and excessive tank sizes above the permitted volumes. Officers say non-compliant products may be genuine but are not intended for the UK market and do not meet UK legislation.

Inspections of 40 premises in County Durham, has led to the seizure or voluntary surrender of over 3,700 devices, with one product found to contain 4 x 2ml cartridges as a means of seeking to circumvent the regulations

Alan Patrickson, corporate director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, told Durham County Council’s cabinet meeting: “The council has taken a longstanding and proactive approach to the protection of young people, tackling harms and criminality associated with the supply of age-restricted products. Education and awareness continues to be a priority alongside enforcement.”