Officers from Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards are warning the public of the dangers of illegal disposable electronic cigarettes.

Also known as disposable vape or puff bars, more than 2,000 of these unsafe products have been seized from retailers across the area, forcing the Council to issue a warning over their potential harm to vapers as well young people.

Nicotine inhaling products containing more than 2% nicotine, or with more than 2ml of liquid, are illegal to sell as they do not comply with UK safety requirements. However, illegal products with up to 5% nicotine have been found on sale locally. There are also serious concerns that underage children are accessing these products.

Officers from Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards have visited stores across the area as part of a Scotland wide project aimed at getting unsafe products off sale.

Environment and Housing Convener, Cllr Jim Thomson, said: “I’d like to thank Stirling Council’s Trading Standards Officers for their work in removing these products from shop shelves in the area.

“Vapers should remain alert to the risks that unsafe nicotine vaping products pose, particularly as they’re likely to contain a level of nicotine not considered safe within the UK.

“Parents and guardians may not realise their children are vaping these unsafe devices. The minimum age for buying any nicotine or tobacco-containing product is 18 and this includes products such as vape devices.

“We are working closely with local businesses to ensure they are in no doubt about what they need to do.  That said, those who fail to act on this advice will face formal enforcement action, so I’d urge any Stirling or Clackmannanshire traders looking for help or advice to contact Trading Standards by emailing tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk” 

Vice Convener, Cllr Danny Gibson said: “The brightly coloured packaging of these nicotine vaping products which closely resemble highlighter pens or make-up products and have sweet flavours are being aimed at young people and children.”

“Parents, guardians and indeed the wider public should pay heed to the risks that these unsafe products pose to impressionable children and young adults. I thank Stirling Council’s Trading Standards staff for their ongoing work to seize illegal disposable vape bars from shops within our communities.”

Consumers wishing to report concerns about unsafe and or underage sales of disposable vape products should contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.


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