36%
Where Are Illegal Tobacco and Vapes Sold?
Illegal tobacco and vape products are sold in more places than you might expect. They’re not just found in shady alleyways or backrooms – they often appear in places that look completely normal from the outside. Knowing where these products are sold can help communities spot the signs and report concerns early.
COMMON PLACES
Corner Shops & Convenience Stores
Some small shops, like “international food stores” or “discount retailers,” may appear legitimate but operate as “sham shops”. Fronts for selling illegal goods with little real stock, often hidden under the counter.
Market Stalls & Car Boot Sales
Illicit tobacco and vapes are often sold at markets or car boot sales. These setups offer sellers anonymity and quick escape if enforcement arrives. Prices are usually much lower than normal, which can be a warning sign.
Pubs, Social Clubs & Takeaways
Some sellers use community spaces like pubs, bars or social clubs to quietly offer illegal products to regulars. In some cases, transactions take place at the bar or “out the back.”
Vape Shops
While many vape shops operate legally, some sell illegal products - especially high-puff, high-strength vapes that don’t meet UK rules. If prices seem too low, or the packaging looks odd or foreign, it's worth being cautious.
Homes & Local Flats
In some areas, illegal products are sold directly from people's homes. A neighbour might be known to “have cheap smokes” and sell to friends, locals, or even young people.
From Vehicles
Some illegal sellers trade from parked vehicles in known spots like street corners, schools, or estates, using word of mouth or social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, and WhatsApp to advertise and sell illegal vapes and tobacco.
WHERE DO YOUNG PEOPLE BUY THEM?
Current vapers in Years 7 to 13 in who reported where they buy or get their vapes from:
Friends, family or someone they know.
26%
Shops
3%
Online sales
