Online and social media sales
Online sellers can reach people quickly, hide behind profiles, change names and offer local delivery. Reports can help local teams connect online activity with shops, homes, vehicles or repeat local sellers.
Online sellers may disguise what they are selling
Online sellers can hide behind profiles, change names, delete posts and offer local delivery. Reports can help local teams connect online activity with shops, homes, vehicles or repeat local sellers.
10%
11 to 17-year-olds who currently vape say they buy vapes through the internet (ASH England)
120
TikTok accounts and 83 Instagram accounts offering THC vape liquids for sale. (University of Bath)
70%
of TikTok accounts claiming to sell THC were actually selling Spice. (University of Bath)
Over two-thirds
of tracked accounts were still online after researchers alerted social media platforms. (University of Bath)
Quick answer
You can report online sales of illegal tobacco, illegal vapes, disposable vapes, cannabis THC products or underage sales.
This can include:
- Facebook Marketplace listings
- Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok accounts
- WhatsApp groups or local group chats
- Websites selling suspicious products
- Local delivery offers
- Posts advertising cheap cigarettes or duty free tobacco
- Products sold to children or young people
What you should look out for?
Disguised listings
Products may be listed as stationery, mystery boxes, accessories or other harmless items, with the real product hidden in options, comments or messages.
No ID claims
Be alert to sellers saying “no ID needed”, “no age check”, “discreet postage” or similar.
Coded product details
Flavour names, puff counts, emojis, initials or dropdown menus may be used to signal what is really being sold.
Social media profiles
Reports may involve Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, marketplace listings or group chats.
Local delivery
Some sellers offer delivery to homes, estates, schools, collection points or nearby areas.
Products aimed at young people
Sales shared through WhatsApp groups, Snapchat contacts, local groups or private messages.
Still not sure what to report?
Do not message the seller
You do not need to contact the seller, buy anything or ask questions. Report what you have already seen.
Do I need proof?
No. A username, screenshot, link, product, price, delivery area or postcode can still help.
Learn more about illegal tobacco and vapes
Find out how illegal products are sold, what signs to look for and how enforcement partners are tackling the issue.
How to report a concern
Find out what information helps, what happens after a report and how to report anonymously.
What are illegal vapes?
Learn how to spot illegal vapes, banned disposables and products that may be sold outside the rules.