More than 11,000 illegal vapes seized in Herts in 2022

Following an FOI request by Vape Club, it was found that Hertfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Team had taken possession of 11,230 in 2022, an increase of 24,000 per cent after just 46 were seized in 2021.

That number put the county in the top 15 across the UK for seized illegal vapes last year, with Kent coming out on top with a whopping 329,276.

The number does look set to drop this year though, with 1,998 illegal vapes collected this year, with 250 seized from Daniels store in Stevenage back in February among them.

Illegal vape seizures soared in 2022. (Image: Newquest)

Illegal cigarette seizures have also seen a significant increase over the past five years.

In 2018, 755 packs were seized, followed by 1,423 in 2019, and then 6,755, 6,480 and 3,585 in the subsequent three years.

This year HCC's Trading Standards team has taken 909 packs.

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Illegal cigarette seizures have seen a big increase. (Image: Newsquest)

The seizure of illegal hand-rolled tobacco products has been much lower over the 13-year period that data was provided for, with the figure peaking at 291 in 2018, closely followed by 286 in 2015.

Last year, 180 products were taken, before dropping to just eight this year.

This newspaper has contacted Hertfordshire County Council for comment, but is yet to receive a response.

The seizure of hand-rolled tobacco products has been much lower. (Image: Newsquest)