The Oxfordshire Council recently issued a warning regarding the proliferation of illegal disposable e-cigarettes across the county, raising concerns about public safety and the increase of organized criminal activity in the e-cigarette market.
Rising Concerns and Enforcement Actions
The council’s warning comes amidst a nationwide trend of growing concerns regarding the safety and legality of e-cigarettes, with over 10,000 illegal e-cigarettes seized in Oxfordshire alone.
Criminal Tactics: Electromagnetic Concealment
Jody Kerman, Head of the Council’s Trading Standards Team, highlights a concerning trend of criminal innovation where unscrupulous traders use electromagnetically shielded structures to hide illegal e-cigarettes, complicating detection efforts.
Organized Criminal Activity
Evidence suggests that organized criminal gangs are distributing illegal e-cigarettes, raising concerns about public health and safety.
Rising Usage Among Teenagers
Data from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) charity shows an alarming increase in e-cigarette usage among teenagers, highlighting the importance of strict enforcement measures and public education initiatives.
Guidance for Identifying Illegal E-Cigarettes
To help the public identify illegal disposable e-cigarettes, the council offers specific guidelines:
- Nicotine Content: Check if the nicotine content exceeds 2% (or 20mg/ml).
- Capacity: Verify if the e-cigarette capacity exceeds 2ml.
- Usage: Determine if the device has been smoked more than 1200 times.
- Packaging: Inspect if the packaging contains a UK address for the importer or manufacturer.
- Health Warning: Ensure the health warning includes the exact wording “This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance”.
Health Implications and Public Safety
Dr. Nathan Ley, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequality, and Community Safety, emphasizes the effectiveness of rechargeable e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids for adult smokers.
Adverse Effects and Addiction
However, Dr. Ley warns against children or non-smokers using e-cigarettes due to the highly addictive nature of nicotine and its long-term health effects.
In light of these developments, the council urges the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to e-cigarette distribution.
