More than 350 dangerous vapes have been seized in Ipswich, Felixstowe and Lowestoft. 

Suffolk Trading Standards prevented the sale of 370 vapes which did not meet the legal requirements at premises in the towns. 

Some of the vapes offered as many as 10,000 puffs when a legal vape would only offer about 600. 

There has been a rise in illegal vapes, which can contain high levels of nicotine, contaminants, or banned ingredients, such as taurine and caffeine. 

Ipswich Star: Cllr Andrew Reid Picture: Suffolk County CouncilCllr Andrew Reid Picture: Suffolk County Council (Image: SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL)

Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for public health and public protection, said: “Thanks to the tireless work of Suffolk Trading Standards, hundreds of potentially deadly vapes have been withdrawn from sale in our county.

“Whilst people shouldn’t be put off using vapes, which the Government recognises is the number one tool in helping smokers quit effectively, they should only purchase products from a reputable retailer and question any strange looking packaging.

“It is also important to remember that vapes should never be used by children, who are more susceptible to becoming addicted to nicotine and the damage this can cause to brains and lungs.”

People are being encouraged to look out for the following when purchasing a vape to make sure it is legal: 

  • The tank of a vape is a maximum size of 2ml, and the largest refill bottle is 10ml in size or less
  • All liquids should come in childproof bottles displaying nicotine warnings and have an accompanying safety leaflet
  • Vapes should have a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml or 2%
  • A maximum number of around 600 puffs is offered