Trading Standards officers seized around 1,000 single use vapes from shops after the national ban came into force.
Yesterday (Sunday), the council’s Trading Standards officers visited stores in Slough to check for compliance with the ban on single use / disposable vapes, which came into effect on the same day.
Since January, officers have educated 250 shops in Slough on how they could remain in compliance with the law. Despite this, around 1,000 single use vapes were seized.
Councillor Ejaz Ahmed, lead member for Communities, Sport, Leisure and Public Protection, said: “Despite the best efforts of Trading Standards in ensuring businesses can trade legally, some ignored the warnings. The unscrupulous behaviour of traders selling illegal vapes will not be tolerated.
“I urge all businesses to only sell compliant vapes and dispose of illegal vapes in the correct way.”
Officers will continue enforcing this ban which could result in a monetary penalty of £200 or prosecution.
Businesses are reminded to check their stock and not sell any vapes which do not meet the requirements. These are that they are refillable, rechargeable and replaceable. All illegal stock must be removed for sale and disposed of through the correct disposal channels.
Businesses can visit the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website and if the product isn’t listed, it’s illegal.
If you suspect a business is selling single use vapes, report it via the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.