Illegal single-use vape traders face £200 fines

Traders caught selling illegal single-use vapes in York could be fined up to £200 under new plans.

The proposals by City of York Council could also see businesses found to be selling more than 20 illegal vapes formally cautioned or prosecuted.

Meanwhile, under the plans, the authority could issue "stop notice" orders to traders who did not dispose of the the items properly.

If the proposals are approved at a meeting on 14 April, council trading standards officers would be responsible for enforcing the measures and would be able to fine offenders.

A ban on the sale of single-use vapes came into force last year, meaning vapes which cannot either be recharged or refilled cannot be legally sold or supplied in shops or by manufacturers, wholesalers or health and stop smoking services.

According to a City of York Council report, the plans were being considered as part of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of single-use vapes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

But the report added that vape manufacturers had redesigned products which complied with the rules while continuing to sell them at the same price, limiting the impact on consumer behaviour.

The government said last year that the crackdown aimed to put an end to the rise of single-use vapes in schools and to stop them blighting streets as litter.

James Lowman, Association of Convenience Stores chief executive, said the industry had been preparing for the ban and would work with local trading standards officers to tackle illegal sales.

If approved, the plans for York would see offending traders who paid fines within 28 days getting their penalties discounted to £100.

Those found to be selling low amounts of illegal vapes could be issued a compliance notice legally requiring them to stop instead of receiving a fine.

Being found to be selling more than 20 vapes would be classed as an aggravating factor, potentially opening up traders to prosecutions.

Council officers could also take steps to recover costs if other actions were taken against traders as part of their enforcement efforts.

Laws which came into force last year also require traders to provide facilities for vapes to be recycled, but this will not be enforced by the council.

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