How illegal tobacco and vapes harm communities
Illegal tobacco, illegal vapes and cannabis THC products can affect high streets, young people, local businesses and community safety. Reports can help show where products are being sold, where children may be accessing them and where wider patterns may be emerging.
The issue is bigger than one product
Reports show that illegal products are often linked to wider patterns, including hidden stock, repeat sellers, online accounts, homes, vehicles, local delivery and concerns involving children. Some reports also show illegal tobacco, illegal vapes and cannabis THC products appearing together.
You do not need to prove a link to criminal networks. Sharing a shop name, postcode, seller, product, price, online account or repeated pattern can still help build the local picture.
284
reports describe hidden stock or concealment
Source: Latest reporting data, May 2026.
438
reports include children or school indicators
Source: Latest reporting data, May 2026.
257
reports name homes, flats or online sales
Source: Latest reporting data, May 2026.
220
reports mention cannabis
Source: Latest reporting data, May 2026.
Quick answer
Illegal tobacco, illegal vapes and cannabis THC products can be linked to wider community harm. You do not need to prove criminal activity before making a report.
A shop name, address, postcode, product, price, online account or pattern can still help.
Useful details can include:
- Cheap tobacco keeping smoking within reach
- Hidden stock, back rooms, vehicles or nearby homes
- Repeat sellers or regular delivery patterns
- Online accounts, group chats or local delivery offers
- Products being sold to children or near schools
- Sellers offering tobacco, vapes and cannabis THC products together
What about criminal networks?
Some illegal tobacco and vape sales may be linked to wider supply routes or criminal networks. This does not mean you need to investigate or prove who is behind it. Local details can still be useful, especially where reports mention repeat sellers, hidden stock, large quantities, regular deliveries, online accounts or products being sold to children.
A small detail can help trusted partners understand whether a concern is isolated or part of a wider pattern.
What harm can illegal products cause?
Cheap products keep smoking within reach
Very cheap cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco can make smoking easier to continue and easier for young people to access.
Hidden stock can point to repeat selling
Products may be kept behind counters, in back rooms, vehicles, nearby homes, storage units or hidden compartments.
Online sellers can move quickly
Profiles, group chats, delivery offers and websites can change names or disappear. Usernames, screenshots, links and delivery areas can all help.Any concern that children or young people are being supplied cannabis or THC vapes.
Young people can be put at risk
Children may get products through shops, older pupils, adults, online sellers or local contacts.
Still not sure what to report?
Do I need to know who is behind it?
No. You do not need to know whether a seller is linked to wider criminal activity. Report what you have seen, where it happened and any pattern you have noticed.
Should I investigate?
No. Do not confront anyone, contact a seller, arrange a purchase or put yourself at risk. Share what you already know.
Explore Our Guides
Find clear information on illegal tobacco, illegal vapes, underage sales, online sellers, cannabis THC products and how to report concerns.
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