London vape retailers are getting on board with a new UK-wide initiative to identify and report rogue traders who are suspected of selling vapes to minors or stocking illicit goods.

The ‘Be Vape Vigilant’ initiative is the brainchild of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) and is supported by Trading Standards, the Association of Convenience Stores and the wider retail sector.

It has been created to mobilise legitimate retailers and the general public to play a key role in turning in those retail outlets and wholesale operations that are blatantly selling vapes to under 18-year-olds, which is illegal, or supplying potentially highly dangerous illicit vapes.

One retailer supporting the scheme is Evapo, which has stores across London including in Islington, Hammersmith and Portobello Road in Notting Hill.

The campaign follows new research from leading compliance firm Arcus Compliance which shows local enforcement teams need greater resources and support in addressing youth access to vaping and illicit product sales.

The CTSI recently warned that around 1 in 3 vape products may be non-compliant and around one third of shops knowingly sell vapes to minors.

The Trading Standards body also said that enforcement teams are spread ‘very thinly’ across a range of issues and that they need ‘more boots on the ground’ to help enforce regulations and advise businesses.

A new online platform has been established by the UKVIA, where suspected unscrupulous retailers can be reported. The suspicious party needs to record the retailer’s name, location and a detailed account of the suspected illegal activity. The UKVIA will then pass the information on to the relevant authorities who will use the intelligence in their ongoing efforts to crackdown on rogue traders.

As part of the initiative, the UKVIA is providing a range of downloadable materials which responsible retailers can display in-store to encourage the general public to play a key role in bringing cowboy retailers and wholesalers to justice. All Be Vape Vigilant campaign promotions include a QR Code linking back to the online reporting facility.

Commenting on the initiative, Kate Pike, a Lead Officer for Vaping, said “Trading Standards fully support the campaign and hope it will be effective in encouraging people to report instances of retailers selling to children or vapes that are either counterfeits or non-compliant with UK regulations.

“Most retailers work hard to ensure they only sell to adults, so any intelligence, which enables us to target enforcement at those who are breaking the law, is very much welcomed”.

John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA, added: “Smoking causes 250 deaths every day in the UK alone and costs the NHS billions every year. Vaping is one of the most effective stop smoking tools ever devised and has been instrumental in bringing the nation’s smoking rates down to their lowest levels on record.

“That said, no one under the age of 18 – or who does not already smoke – should be using these products and it is wholly unacceptable that unscrupulous retailers are putting vapes in the hands of minors and stocking illicit goods.

“This campaign is designed to help Trading Standards uphold existing laws around product compliance and the prevention of underage access to vapes. We want consumers, legitimate retailers, parents, carers, teachers and the wider general public to be vape vigilant, come forward and report any suspected illegal activity. The only way to stop youth vaping in its tracks is by getting to the root of the problem – those traders who are intent on breaking the law and getting away with it. We need as much help as possible from those who want to make an honest living from selling vapes and the general public who care about the welfare of their children.”

Andrej Kuttruf, Chief Executive of Evapo, commented: “Vaping has been shown to pose a fraction of the risks of smoking and has been instrumental in helping millions of adults move away from, or completely cut out, cigarettes – which remain one of the world’s biggest killers.

“That said, the actions of some bad actors who are engaging in underage and illicit vape sales is impacting trust in the sector and preventing vaping from fulfilling its true stop smoking potential. It is critical that the industry, consumers and the general public be vape vigilant and call out rogue vape sellers so they can be held to account. We cannot be silent to unscrupulous sellers.”

In addition to the new Be Vape Vigilant platform, the UKVIA continues to advocate for stronger enforcement of existing laws that prohibit the sale of vapes to under-18s, including on-the-spot fines up to £10,000 and licensing of shops selling vapes.