Online sales of illegal vapes, tobacco and THC products
Illegal vapes, illegal tobacco and cannabis THC products can be sold online through websites, social media, messaging apps, group chats and local delivery accounts. If a seller looks suspicious, sells to children or offers products that may be illegal, you can report it anonymously. You can also see local NINB reporting data by area. See what makes a vape illegal and what counts as illegal tobacco.
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
Source: ASH Youth Vaping
120
TikTok accounts and 83 Instagram accounts offering THC vape liquids for sale.
Source: University of Bath
Over two-thirds
of tracked accounts were still online after researchers alerted social media platforms.
Source: 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 to look out for online
Disguised listings
Products may be listed as stationery, mystery boxes, accessories or bundles, with the real product hidden in options, comments or private messages.
No ID claims
Be alert to sellers saying no ID needed, no age check, discreet postage or similar. This can be reported, especially where products may be reaching children or young people.
Coded product details
Flavour names, puff counts, emojis, initials, strain names 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, profile pages or group chats.
Local delivery
Some sellers offer delivery to homes, estates, schools, collection points or nearby areas. You do not need to contact the seller to report what you have seen.Some sellers offer delivery to homes, estates, schools, collection points or nearby areas.
Products aimed at young people
Bright packaging, cheap deals, no age checks, private messages or school age buyers can all be warning signs.
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.
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