Protecting residents by ensuring that local businesses are not selling illegal vapes or counterfeit tobacco is a key priority for Barking and Dagenham Council.

During a joint operation with the police on Wednesday 26 July, they seized 233 oversized/illegal disposable vapes alongside 1,500 illicit and counterfeit tobacco from a shop in Broad Street, Dagenham.

In the UK, there are set regulations for vapes, tobacco and cigarettes to ensure that they don’t include ingredients that have not been approved by regulators.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “If people are smoking illegal vapes, tobacco or cigarettes it means that they’re not aware of what they’re putting into their body and this may have an adverse effect on their health and wellbeing.

“It’s the council’s job to make sure we’re protecting our residents, so if we’re aware of businesses not selling approved products correctly, we will take enforcement action.”

The business will now face further investigation with a view to prosecution.