About

What Is Illegal Tobacco?
What Are Illegal Vapes?

What We Do

We work closely with Trading Standards Wales and other partners to crack down on illegal tobacco and vapes across the country. Our mission is to tackle the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes in Wales. 

By reporting these illegal products, you help protect your community, especially our children, from harmful substances and criminal activity See it? Report it. No ifs, no butts.

Report

Our Work Includes

Educating The Public

We help the public spot illegal tobacco and vapes, understand the risks, and know what to do if they see suspicious products in their community.

Anonymous Reporting

Our anonymous reporting system makes it simple to pass on information. Your reports go directly to Trading Standards for follow-up, keeping your identity safe

Supporting Enforcement

By backing enforcement operations like test purchases, site visits, and seizures, we help remove these dangerous products from circulation.

Why It Matters?

Illegal tobacco and vapes are a serious problem in Wales, with around 10% of the tobacco market being illegal and 88,000 people buying these products each year. Sales often occur at private addresses (39%), making the issue pervasive within communities. Since 2021, over 2.8 million illegal cigarettes have been seized, but the problem persists. These illegal products pose risks not only to public health but also to community safety by funding organised crime.

Protect Kids
Illegal sellers target kids with cheap products, making it easy for them to start smoking.
Safeguard Health
Illegal vapes are untested and can contain harmful, unknown ingredients, raising health risks.
Stop Crime
Illegal sales can fund criminal activities such as drug trafficking and exploitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Illegal tobacco takes all shapes and forms. It is sometimes called ‘illicit’ tobacco and refers to illegal cigarettes and rolling tobacco pouches. The most common forms are:
Fake Brands
These might look like a popular brand, but they’re made illegally.
Cheap Whites
These are unknown brands you’ve never seen before, usually mass produced in one country and smuggled into another sold cheaply.
Cheap Genuine
Smuggled into the UK with no-duty paid (packages often display foreign languages and a lack of health warnings).
Sold Individually
Cigarettes sold individually instead of in packets.
The illegal vape market is growing rapidly, raising concerns across Wales. Here’s what to watch out for:
Puff Count
Legal vapes should provide no more than 600 puffs. If you find vapes claiming thousands of puffs, they're likely illegal.
Too Much Liquid
Vapes must only contain 2ml of liquid or less. Anything more is against the law.
No Warnings
Check for the required nicotine warnings. Illegal vapes may have very high nicotine levels, putting users at risk.
Sold To Children
These products are often sold to children, leading to health risks and potential exposure to harmful chemicals.
Illegal sellers use many methods to sell illegal tobacco. The most common avenues of selling are:
Shops
Private homes
Pubs/Clubs
Social Media
Car-boots
On The Streets
You can report illegal tobacco sales anonymously on our website. Your information will be sent to your local Trading Standards team for investigation. Every report helps us combat illegal sales and protect our communities.

If possible, please include details about where you saw the sale, what products were being sold, and any descriptions of the seller or location. Remember, no tip-off is too small. Every piece of information you provide contributes to reducing the illegal tobacco market in Wales.

Once you report illegal tobacco or vape sales, your information is sent to your local Trading Standards team for investigation. Each report plays a vital role in tackling the illegal market.

Investigation Process:

  • Assessment: Trading Standards will review the details you've provided to determine next steps.
  • Test Purchases: Officers may conduct undercover purchases to catch illegal sellers.
  • Detection Dogs: Trained dogs are used to sniff out hidden illegal products, enhancing the investigation's effectiveness.
  • Site Visits: Officers may visit the reported location to gather evidence and take action.
  • Intelligence Gathering: Reports help build a broader picture of illegal sales in the area.

These steps are essential for removing illegal products and protecting our communities, especially children and vulnerable individuals. Your reports are crucial in ensuring a safer environment for everyone in Wales.

Our Impact Across Wales

Explore where illegal tobacco and vapes have been seized and the impact in each region

Click Here To Report Illegal Tobacco Or VapesClick Here To Report Illegal Tobacco Or VapesClick Here To Report Illegal Tobacco Or Vapes

Latest Updates

Check out our latest updates to see how illegal tobacco and vapes impact real lives—and how your reports can make a difference.

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