Trading Standards lack resources to tackle underage vape sales

London does not have sufficient enforcement capacity to tackle retailers illegally selling vapes to minors, a senior official has warned. Years of austerity have significantly reduced the capital's regulatory services, leaving Trading Standards departments struggling to conduct essential checks and enforce compliance.

Impact of Funding Cuts

John Herriman, Chief Executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, stated that regulatory services funding was cut by 23 per cent between 2010 and 2025. Trading Standards specifically suffered a 39 per cent reduction in the same period, with some London boroughs, such as Enfield, being reduced to a single officer at one point. This has led to a deprioritisation of certain enforcement activities.

A rapid review by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute involved 422 test purchases of disposable vapes by young people. The review found that illegal sales were made on 33 per cent of these purchases, indicating a widespread issue with retailers failing to check age.

Mr Herriman noted that the reduced presence of Trading Standards officers has allowed serious and organised crime to gain a foothold on the high street. He also highlighted significant variations in staffing levels between boroughs, with some having only two or three officers while others, like Tower Hamlets, had 11 or 12.

New Legislation and Future Enforcement

The Tobacco and Vapes Act, passed in May 2026, introduces a mandatory licensing scheme for all retailers selling vapes. This new legislation aims to reduce youth vaping and prevent future generations from accessing these products. However, the enforcement of this scheme will fall to the already under-resourced Trading Standards teams.

Experts suggest lessons learned from reducing youth smoking rates can be applied to tackling youth vaping. John Waldron, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), pointed to the success of measures such as banning advertising, plain packaging, and restricting point-of-sale visibility.

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. The Mayor of London has previously expressed support for measures to protect children's health and the environment from the rise in youth vaping.