Single use vapes, which are now illegal to sell, have been seized from more than 20 Slough stores.
Single use vapes have been banned across the UK since 1 June. Trading Standards officers in Slough have been working with businesses to ensure they are compliant with the new rules; including giving advice and information before then ban and details on what actions they needed to take.
Officers visited 105 stores throughout June to see if they had listened to the advice, which was to sell off their stock of non-compliant vapes before the ban came in.
Of the 105 stores visited, 80% had listened to the advice and were in compliance of the law, having sold through their stock.
The other 20% didn’t listen to the advice, resulting in 2,550 single use vapes being seized and destroyed by Trading Standards, through approved secure methods.
One business had re-stocked with non-compliant vapes, ignoring previous advice given by the team.
Councillor Ejaz Ahmed, lead member for Communities, Sport, Leisure and Public Protection, said: “While the number of illegal vapes seized by officers is still disappointing, I am pleased there was a high compliance rate.
“I urge all businesses to only sell compliant vapes and dispose of illegal vapes in the correct way. Every business has a legal duty to ensure they only sell legal products, in this case vapes which are refillable, rechargeable and replaceable.”
Officers are reminding businesses to only buy vapes through approved supply chains as non-compliant vapes will be available through sources based outside of the UK.
Trading Standards officers will continue enforcing this ban which could result in a monetary penalty of £200 or prosecution.
Businesses can visit the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website and if the product isn’t listed, it’s illegal.