Kensington and Chelsea council, which carried out the raid, have since warned of a “growing risk” of illegal vapes being purchased by “unaware” teenagers.
Some vape pens had a tank size of 16ml — which would last around 7,000 puffs — well above Britain’s legal 2ml tank size, which would last around 600 to 800 vapes.
During the raid by trading standards officers, 27 unsafe travel adaptors, nine pouches of oral tobacco, and 62 packets of shisha tobacco were also discovered.
Dr Mike McKean, vice-president of policy for the Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health, has warned the use of vapes and e-cigarettes by teenagers is a “new epidemic”.
But what age can you legally vape and what are the laws surrounding the habit?
What are the laws on vaping?
The UK introduced the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) in 2016.
Vaping laws are a bit of a grey area and differ drastically to the laws on smoking. At present, you must be 18 years or older to buy and use a vape in the UK.
Vape cartridges, the liquid that goes in, must not hold more than 2ml of liquid or contain more than 20mg of nicotine per millilitre.
The UK Government is said to be looking into banning “addictive” fruit flavoured vapes in a bid to deter young people from taking up the habit.
What is a vape?
It is a form of smoking without the tobacco, which is the harmful part of cigarettes known to cause cancer.
The device heats a liquid that becomes a vapour people can breathe in. They usually contain nicotine, which is the addictive chemical in cigarettes.
Where can I vape?
At present, there are no nationwide legal restrictions or laws enforced on vaping in public areas, and it is allowed.
However Go Smoke Free, an online site selling vapes, has listed how many councils have put in place customised restrictions in certain areas and there are local laws in force that prohibit vaping. The ban on smoking in the workplace or public areas does not apply to vaping, but this doesn’t allow you to vape anywhere you like.
Generally, this is down to whoever owns the specific area. Open public spaces are down to local authorities to rule on, but there should be clear signs if vaping is prohibited in certain areas.
Can I vape in restaurants and pubs?
Again, this is down to the owners of each establishment you wish to use a vape in. There is no legal, blanket ban on vaping in the likes of pubs, restaurants, or coffee shops.
But many have implemented bans, including large chains such as Starbucks, KFC, McDonald’s, and Caffè Nero, to name a few.
What are the health warnings on vapes?
Cancer Research UK has warned that, although e-cigarettes and vapes are a lot safer than cigarettes, the long-term effects are not yet known, so people who have never smoked shouldn’t use them. They warn the decision is not risk-free.
The NHS agree vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking but says it is not risk-free and non-smokers should not take up vaping. Vaping does “expose users to fewer toxins” but Better Health, an NHS body, says the long-term effects cannot yet be known and it is “highly unlikely” to be danger-free.
