Over 550 illegal e-cigarettes seized from shops in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk by Lancashire Police

Two shops were caught selling illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes by police in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk.
By Sean Gleaves
Published 12th Aug 2022, 14:44 BST
Updated 12th Aug 2022, 14:47 BST
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Police working with a team from Trading Standards inspected two shops in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale earlier this week.

The inspections were carried out following reports the shops – which were not named by police – were selling counterfeit cigarettes and vapes that breached regulations.

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555 e-cigarettes and 311 counterfeit cigarettes were subsequently seized from the two shops.

555 e-cigarettes and 311 counterfeit cigarettes were seized from two shops in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale (Credit: Lancashire Police)555 e-cigarettes and 311 counterfeit cigarettes were seized from two shops in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale (Credit: Lancashire Police)
555 e-cigarettes and 311 counterfeit cigarettes were seized from two shops in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale (Credit: Lancashire Police)
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“Trading Standards will be dealing further with the managers of these two shops,” a spokesman for Lancashire Police said.

“We are aware of the huge concern around children using vapes and we will continue to work with Trading Standards to identify any other shops that choose to ignore the rules.”

The offences the shops committed included:

Counterfeit cigarettes hidden behind a mirror (Credit: Lancashire Police)Counterfeit cigarettes hidden behind a mirror (Credit: Lancashire Police)
Counterfeit cigarettes hidden behind a mirror (Credit: Lancashire Police)

- The Trade Marks Act 1995 for the counterfeit cigarettes.

- The Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 for the improperly labelled tobacco products.

- The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 for the improperly labelled e-liquids.

The force added e-cigarettes should have no more than 600 puffs, and all cigarette packaging should be in plain packaging and stored behind the counter.