"Millions of illegal vapes have been seized across the capital in the last five years, but doctors warn the true scale of the public health risk may still be unknown. New data has revealed the volume of unregulated devices being removed from the capital's streets, dangerous products containing metals and toxins, which are slipping through the enforcement cracks. These devices pose serious and largely unknown long-term health risks, doctors warn, particularly to young people."
"An interactive map produced by The Standard, using data obtained through Freedom of Information requests collated by Midland Health, shows the scale of illegal vape seizures across Londons boroughs. Twenty-six of London's 32 borough councils, along with the City of London Corporation, responded to the request for information, with only a small number refusing or stating they did not hold the data. They reported seizing 2,480,789 illegal vapes between January 2020 and December 2025 with an estimated total value of 22.4 million."
London authorities seized 2,480,789 illegal vapes between January 2020 and December 2025, with an estimated total value of £22.4 million. Many products contained metals and toxins and may pose serious, largely unknown long-term health risks, particularly for young people. Twenty-six of 32 borough councils and the City of London Corporation provided seizure data. Hillingdon recorded almost 2.15 million seizures (around £19.3 million) and reported no closure orders; figures for Hillingdon include Heathrow Airport. Ealing, Hackney, Croydon and Barnet reported tens of thousands of seizures. Enforcement beyond confiscation appears limited and the use of closure orders remains low across London.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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