Illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes found in Wales

An undercover WalesOnline investigation finds illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes being sold in multiple Welsh towns despite a government ban.

Illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes flood Welsh streets amid lax enforcement

An undercover WalesOnline investigation found illegal nicotine products being sold across several Welsh towns. On St Helen's Road in Swansea, five vape shops offered disposables that were banned or near ban limits, and counterfeit cigarettes were available at low prices. A prior case at Bob Marley Vapes showed a shopkeeper selling a Chinese-made vape well before the ban; the shop was later raided and the owner sentenced to nearly two years in jail. In subsequent visits, other outlets including Vape City and Asia Vape carried products that regulators consider illegal, with shopkeepers giving inconsistent explanations about the rules and limited enforcement visits since the measures took effect. A Swansea Market outlet and nearby Kubus Superstore also displayed illegal packs at low prices, while a Snoop Vape Store worker offered counterfeit Benson & Hedges for five pounds. Public health experts note illicit products can be more dangerous and less regulated, and authorities warn the problem is growing as retailers undercut legal brands to attract customers. The Welsh Government says enforcement is a priority and is working with trading standards, while councils report ongoing investigations and prosecutions against offenders.

The report highlights a widening enforcement gap between policy and practice. Cheap illegal products create a strong consumer pull, especially when the same goods are hidden in back rooms or sold with minimal health warnings. Language barriers and limited local resources complicate monitoring in multilingual communities, making it harder to deter sellers and inform shoppers. The case raises questions about budget and political will to sustain enforcement programs that deter unlawful sales. In the broader policy frame, tougher penalties and better funding may be required to align what is written in law with what shoppers actually encounter on the high street.

Highlights

The coming months will test how well law, money, and public health can keep pace with a thriving black market.