Midlands Authorities Seize Nearly £2 Million in Illegal Vapes
Health officials and local councils across the Midlands have launched a major crackdown on illegal vapes, with seizures worth almost £2 million recorded between January 2020 and December 2025. The operation has targeted shops in Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell, and Wolverhampton, where unregulated vaping products have been confiscated due to significant health concerns.
Alarming Seizure Statistics Revealed
The scale of the illegal vape trade in the region has been laid bare by official figures. Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council led the seizures with 130,739 vapes worth £1,045,912 removed from circulation. Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council confiscated 46,794 devices valued at £467,940, while Wolverhampton City Council seized 21,093 vapes worth £210,930. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council removed 19,441 illegal vapes with an estimated value of £194,410.
Recent Enforcement Actions Highlight Ongoing Problem
Just last month, a Wolverhampton shop faced a £50,000 fine and had over 200 vapes confiscated after being caught selling illegal products to underage customers. In November of last year, a Sandwell establishment lost its license following similar offenses, with subsequent searches uncovering hundreds of oversized, banned vaping devices.
October saw four Walsall shops investigated as part of Operation CeCe and Operation Joseph, national initiatives specifically designed to combat the growing vaping crisis. These coordinated efforts demonstrate the seriousness with which authorities are treating the proliferation of unregulated vaping products.
Medical Experts Voice Serious Health Concerns
Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director of Midland Health, expressed deep concern about the availability of unregulated vapes. "We commend local councils for taking measures against the sales of illegal vapes, but it's concerning that we still don't know the full number of unregulated vapes that are still available to the public," she stated.
"A lot of people still talk about vaping as a 'safer' alternative to smoking, but it is not risk-free," Dr Parmar continued. "The most important thing to remember is that most vapes contain nicotine, which is incredibly addictive. If you have never smoked, you really shouldn't start vaping."
Dangerous Substances Found in Illegal Devices
Recent scientific testing on seized vapes has revealed alarming findings. Many illegal devices contained dangerous metals including nickel, copper, and cadmium at concerning levels. Some products even contained lead, a neurotoxin harmful to every organ in the body that can lead to serious health conditions such as heart disease, strokes, and anaemia.
"It's truly scary what is being hidden inside these illegal devices," Dr Parmar warned. "Some have even been found to have nicotine levels equivalent to smoking hundreds of cigarettes."
NHS Guidance on Vaping Risks
The NHS maintains clear guidance on vaping, advising that people who have never smoked should avoid it entirely due to unknown long-term effects. A health service spokesperson explained: "Vaping has not been around for long enough to know the risks of long-term use. While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is unlikely to be totally harmless. Children and non-smokers should never vape. The healthiest option is not to smoke or vape."
The spokesperson added that those using vaping to quit smoking should eventually aim to stop vaping as well, emphasizing that complete cessation remains the ultimate health goal.
Calls for Stronger Regulations and Enforcement
Despite the disposable vape ban representing progress in reducing vaping's harmful effects, medical professionals argue more needs to be done. Dr Parmar emphasized the need for "further restricting access to vapes and having tighter product regulations" to combat the flood of illegal, unregulated products entering the market.
Health authorities report already seeing common side effects from vaping including headaches, persistent coughs, and throat irritation, but warn that the long-term health impacts remain unknown. The combination of addictive nicotine and potentially toxic substances in illegal vapes creates what experts describe as a perfect storm of public health concerns.
