London lacks resources to stop vape sales to minors

London lacks the enforcement capacity to effectively stop retailers selling vapes to minors, a senior official has warned. Experts told the London Assembly Health Committee that some retailers profit significantly from these sales, leading them to overlook the age of their customers.

John Herriman, Chief Executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, stated that years of austerity have critically eroded the capital's enforcement capabilities. He noted that some London boroughs were at one point left with only a single Trading Standards officer. These officers conduct 'test purchases' to identify illegal sales to children and provide guidance to businesses. They also have powers to seize illicit products and issue closure notices to repeat offenders.

Impact of Austerity on Trading Standards

Mr Herriman explained that budget cutbacks have severely impacted Trading Standards. He reported that regulatory services generally saw a 23% reduction in funding between 2010 and 2025, with Trading Standards experiencing a 39% decrease in the same period. This has forced departments to deprioritise certain enforcement activities. He suggested that a stronger Trading Standards presence over the years could have prevented serious and organised crime from gaining a foothold on the high street.

The variation in staffing levels across London boroughs was highlighted. While some have two to three officers, Tower Hamlets had 11 or 12 at one point. Enfield, however, was reduced to a single officer before rebuilding its team. Mr Herriman stated that fewer than 2,500 Trading Standards officers are responsible for enforcing approximately 300 pieces of legislation nationwide.

New Legislation and Enforcement Challenges

A recent rapid review by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute involved 422 test purchases of disposable vapes by young people. The review found that 33% of these sales were illegal. The new Tobacco and Vapes Act, passed in May 2026, aims to reduce youth vaping and prevent future generations from smoking. A key provision is a mandatory licensing scheme for all vape retailers. However, this scheme will need to be monitored and enforced by the already under-resourced Trading Standards teams.

Assembly Members were also informed that a 'new wave of disposable vaping products' earlier this decade contributed to the rise in youth vaping rates. Although disposable products were banned last year, ministers are still consulting on further regulations concerning packaging and product design under the Tobacco and Vapes Act. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) noted that lessons from reducing youth smoking rates, such as banning advertising and increasing taxation, could be applied to vaping.

Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director of Public Health, emphasised the Mayor's role in discouraging youth vaping through advocacy and supporting local authorities in implementing the Tobacco and Vapes Act. Sir Sadiq Khan has previously expressed support for measures to tackle youth vaping and welcomed new regulations.