Making the switch from smoking to vaping/e-cigarettes is supposed to be a step towards quitting for good and improving your health but many companies are putting profit before your health!
The UK laws are quite clear on what is legal or not regarding vaping/e-cigarettes.
In this blog I’m going to broach the subject of the unscrupulous companies, websites and shops that are willing to put profit before your health.
I’ve gone into depth in previous blogs about what is legal to sell in the UK and the further I explored the more I realised what a major problem this is.
At this point in time I don’t know the legality about naming the companies but I will show you how easy it is to buy an illegal device which may be a fake product but even if it is genuine it may contain harmful chemicals banned here in the UK and for good reason.
I find this a scandalous as my business model was based around encouraging others to quit smoking for the sake of their health like I did.
I recently picked up a new customer who purchased nine disposable vapes of which the profit margins are already very low. They then messaged me shortly after asking if I sell the Elux Legend 3500 puff device and I was honest and said no as they are illegal to sell. They said that was a shame as that’s what they usually buy and they normally last about four days. I asked where they bought them from and was given the name of a shop/website openly selling several illegal vapes.
I went onto their website to see how they were getting around the law and discovered they were advertising the product as 3500 puffs but only containing the legal amount of liquid 2ml.
To add insult to injury, shortly after I received an email asking “We saw you looking, are you still interested in these products”, showing discounted prices of the Elux Legend 3500 puff.
I contacted Trading Standards as this is not only damaging to my business, it’s also damaging to the industry and ultimately can be damaging for your health. The laws exist for a reason!
Trading Standards responded saying they would carefully consider and evaluate my complaint and decide on an appropriate course of action. Their decisions are based on priority, consumer detriment, previous history and current available resources. I felt like this was a relatively unclear answer so asked them for more clarity.
Their reply was “From the information you provided, I suspect the vape is illegal simply because the device boasts a ridiculous number of puffs and this is an indication that the amount of e-liquid contained is likely to be more than the maximum allowed 2ml” and reiterated the matter would be considered accordingly and appropriate action would be taken.
This particular shop is based in Leicester but the problem is nationwide. Bearing in mind that an estimated one in three vapes sold in the UK is fake; it makes me wonder what ethics these people have, putting profit before health and law.
In my eyes it is no different to selling harmful illegal cigarettes under the counter but the difference is they are openly doing it without fear of prosecution.
I have put all of my resources into my business and when starting out applied to several wholesale companies for trade. Only one out of the four trade accounts I have follow the TDP guidelines and the law. For this reason alone, I only deal with this supplier, they may not be the cheapest but at least they are honest and I personally check all products for authenticity.
I have also contacted the UK Vaping Industry Authority asking their thought on the subject and still awaiting a reply.
Naturally many people are unaware they are buying illegal products and even if they are many will view it as a bargain but what cost could this have on your health?
The truth is nobody knows but there are 100’s of articles on google where Trading Standards have seized hundreds of thousands of illegal or fake products. I can’t force anyone to buy my products but can guarantee they are legal and authentic and contain no illegal toxic substances.
If you are trying to quit smoking for the benefit of your health I would advise you to make sure you are buying from a reputable company who put ethics before profit.
After all, you wouldn’t buy a new car knowing it possibly has faulty brakes.
The whole idea of disposable vapes/e-cigarettes is to offer a safer alternative and to eventually help you quit altogether.
I hope you find this informative and will be publishing more blogs keeping you informed about the safety and legality of the products competitors are selling.
There are many reputable companies, shops and websites that exist and share the same concerns, if you are in any doubt you can easily check if your device ids legal by visiting;
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-cigarettes-regulations-for-consumer-products
