OFFICERS from Carmarthenshire County Council’s trading standards team have been out and about providing advice on e-cigarettes sales.
Around 160 premises across the county were visited as part of a survey following concerns on illegal imports and counterfeit versions of vaping products circulating the market throughout the UK.
The regulating body – Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) – has set limits as to the volume of nicotine that can be contained within these products with the capacity of tanks, pods and disposable devices not exceeding 2ml of nicotine liquid.
Some of those found on sale showed that the vape tanks were too large and contained 10ml.
A tell-tale sign can be by the number of puffs that the vape allows. For example a legitimate product would show the maximum as being around 600/650 puffs, anything higher could be illegal.
Overall, the survey in Carmarthenshire has revealed satisfactory levels of compliance in regards to the sale of fake goods, however, some concerns have been highlighted on under age sales. The legal age for buying e-cigarettes being 18.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Cllr Philip Hughes, said: “My advice to businesses is always source products from legitimate suppliers and request written confirmation of orders so that they can be easily traced. The goods offered on the black market are dangerous and the suppliers are just looking out for themselves and to line the pockets illegally. There are no consumer protections in place and what you could be buying could prove very harmful as you don’t know what is in them. If you are unsure whether a particular product can be legally sold, there is a register on the MHRA’s website which can be used to verify.”
Officers are now looking at carrying out test purchases across Carmarthenshire.
Cllr Hughes added: “When buying e-cigarettes, please be cautious as there are counterfeit merchandise circulating. If you are concerned that someone is selling illegal products or selling to under 18s then call our trading standards department on 01267 234567
For more information on legitimate e-cigarettes visit the MHRA website
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