Budget cuts hinder vape sales crackdown
Trading standards officers are struggling to stop retailers selling to children due to reduced funding.
Years of budget cuts have left trading standards enforcement officers struggling to effectively stop retailers from selling vapes to children, a senior official has warned. John Herriman, chief executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, stated that the consequence of reduced funding is significant and will become apparent over time.
Trading standards departments have been severely impacted by local government austerity measures. Between 2010 and 2025, funding for regulatory services was reduced by 23%, while trading standards funding saw a 39% decrease. This has led to a reduction in the number of officers available for enforcement.
Impact on London Boroughs
The impact of these cuts varies across London. Herriman noted that at one point, Enfield had only one trading standards officer, although staffing levels have since improved slightly. In contrast, some boroughs may have two to three officers, while Tower Hamlets had 11 or 12. This disparity depends on the strategic priorities set by individual local authorities regarding trading standards.
Trading standards officers possess the authority to seize illegal products and issue closure notices to businesses that repeatedly sell to underage individuals. A recent review conducted by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute involved 422 test purchases of disposable vapes by young people. This review found that illegal sales were made in 33% of these transactions.
Herriman suggested that the current level of illegal vape sales on high streets would not have been possible if trading standards had maintained adequate staffing levels over the years. He indicated that a lack of enforcement provided opportunities for serious and organised crime to establish a presence.
New Legislation and Enforcement Challenges
The Tobacco and Vapes Act, passed in May 2026, aims to decrease vaping rates and prevent future generations from accessing cigarettes. A key provision of this act is the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme for all retailers selling vapes. However, the monitoring and enforcement of this new scheme will fall to trading standards teams, many of which are considered to be under-resourced.
Questions this report answers
01Why are trading standards officers struggling to stop vape sales to children?
Years of budget cuts have significantly reduced the funding and staffing levels for trading standards departments. This has hindered their capacity to conduct the necessary enforcement actions, such as test purchases and inspections, to prevent retailers from selling vapes to underage individuals.
02How much has funding for trading standards been cut?
Between 2010 and 2025, funding for regulatory services, which includes trading standards, was reduced by 23%. Specifically, trading standards funding experienced a larger cut of 39% during the same period, impacting their operational capabilities.
03What was the result of test purchases for vape sales?
A review involving 422 test purchases of disposable vapes by young people found that illegal sales were made in 33% of these instances. This indicates a significant rate of non-compliance among retailers when selling to underage individuals.
04What does the new Tobacco and Vapes Act require?
The Tobacco and Vapes Act, passed in May 2026, introduces a mandatory licensing scheme for all retailers selling vapes. This measure is intended to help reduce vaping and prevent future generations from purchasing these products.
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