Almost five million illicit vapes have been seized in the UK over the last three years.
According to new findings from vape retailer Vape Club, local councils seized 1.3 million vapes in 2025.
Its annual Illegal Vapes and Nicotine Product Report draws on data obtained through a Freedom of Information request to local councils across the UK.
More than half (55%) of local councils in the UK reported thousands of vape seizures last year, said the report.
The report showed Central Bedfordshire Council seized the most in 2025 at 345,718 devices. While the London Borough of Hillingdon – which borders Heathrow Airport – showed the highest number of seizures cumulatively over three years, but saw a drop in 2025, suggesting “the black market is adapting its routes”, said Vape Club.
Kent remains a “significant hotspot”, said the vape retailer, noting that “Dover, Eurotunnel and the Dartford parcel hub were all identified by the council as key entry points”.
Moreover, the report highlighted the North West as one of the UK’s biggest hotspots for illegal vapes, with Manchester, Liverpool and Bolton collectively seizing over 322,000 illegal vapes in 2025.
Bolton Council reported a 467% year-on-year increase in vape seizures, suggesting “the region’s black market shows no signs of slowing”, Vape Club added.
Responding to the findings, Dan Marchant, director at Vape Club, said: “We urge the government to take the right steps in upcoming regulation to tackle the issue effectively, and stop the sale of illegal and potentially dangerous vapes being on sale to the British public.
“Trading Standards should be given the resources to be able to tackle these head on. We’ve long called for a retail and distributor licensing framework to be implemented for the vape sector. This would provide trading standards the power and resources to effectively enforce the law right across the UK. It’s a nationwide issue and is affecting our high streets and local areas.”
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