1.3 million illegal vapes seized across the UK in 2025

Since June 2025, disposable vapes have been banned across the UK, making the single-use vapes illegal. Illegal vapes could be classed as illegal due to banned ingredients, being single-use, having high nicotine levels or having false 'nicotine-free' claims.

We requested Freedom of Information data from all UK councils on the number of vapes, e-cigarettes, and e-liquids seized in 2025, as well as the number of nicotine pouches seized and the number of fines issued related to illegal vape products.

Our data reveals that 1,318,389 illegal vapes, e-liquids and e-cigarettes were seized by UK councils in 2025. 16,635 illegal nicotine pouches were seized, with 3,494 premises investigated and searched for illegal vaping products. 174 fines were issued for the seizures, worth £164,012.

The top ten councils for illegal vape seizures

1. Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council - 291,707 illegal vaping products seized

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council seized the most illegal vapes, e-liquids and e-cigarettes in the UK, seizing 291,707 individual products in 2025. The council seized 152% more than Cheshire East Council, which features in second place. Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council also seized the highest number of illegal nicotine pouches in the UK, with 3,677 seized.

2. Cheshire East Council - 115,433 illegal vaping products seized

Cheshire East Council follows with the second highest number of illegal vape products being seized, with 115,433 individual products found to be illegal. The council issued £18,000 worth of fines related to the illegal products and seizures.

3. Hillingdon Borough Council - 91,754 illegal vaping products seized

Hillingdon Borough Council seized the third most illegal vaping products at 91,754 individual products. The council issued £3,217 worth of fines relating to the illegal products from 19 different cases.

The highest value of fines issued due to illegal vaping products

1. Luton Borough Council - £46,640 worth of fines issued

In 2025, Luton Borough Council issued the highest value of fines relating to illegal vaping products, standing at £46,640. The council seized 4,882 illegal vapes, e-liquids and e-cigarettes through nine investigations. Luton Borough Council issued 69% more in fines than Leicestershire County Council, which is in second place.

2. Leicestershire County Council - £27,524 worth of fines issued

Leicestershire County Council follows with the second-highest value of fines issued in 2025, totalling £27,524. The council seized 5,716 illegal vaping products from 41 premises.

3. Cheshire East Council - £18,000 worth of fines issued

Cheshire East Council issued £18,000 worth of fines, the third highest in the UK. The council, which covers Macclesfield, Poynton and Wilmslow, seized 115,433 illegal vaping products from 26 premises, the second highest amount of total products seized in the UK.

Methodology

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request was sent to all UK councils asking for data on the number of illegal vapes, nicotine pouches, and e-liquids that were seized in the 2025 calendar year. The request requested the number of fixed penalty fines (FPNs) and the number of retailers were investigated throughout 2025.