'THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO'

OVER a thousand illegal cigarettes and several kilos of illicit tobacco that had been hidden in food delivery bags was discovered by teams across shops in Grimsby and Cleethorpes during recent raids.

- By HANNAH CORKEN

Trading Standards and Humberside Police carried out a joint warrant across various shops as part of Operation Cece, a nationwide effort to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco products.

Since its launch in 2022, North East Lincolnshire Council has destroyed nearly two million illegal cigarettes and vapes as well as over 620 kilograms of illicit rolling tobacco with a total legitimate value of £2,000,000.

By law, vapes should have an internal tank capacity of no more than 2ml, and the level of nicotine contained in the vaping fluid should not exceed 20mg/ml (or 2 per cent).

Additionally, since June 1, 2025, vapes must be refillable, rechargeable and the coil, which heats the liquid to produce the vapour, must also be easily replaceable by the user.

Failure to comply with any one of those requirements would mean the vape is illegal under The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations.