The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has secured £10m from the government to support efforts against the illegal tobacco and vape trade under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
The funding is intended to enhance enforcement measures aimed at preventing illegal tobacco and vapes from entering local stores, as well as ensuring that these products are not sold to underage individuals.
The additional resources will also help bolster Trading Standards operations by enabling the recruitment of around 80 apprentice enforcement officers.
John Herriman, chief executive at CTSI, described the investment as “much needed” and said it will significantly strengthen the institute’s capacity to “protect public health and support businesses in complying with current and future tobacco and vaping regulations”.
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He added: “The investment partly addresses CTSI’s calls for additional resourcing in Trading Standards to enforce the measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. CTSI would welcome similar investment for colleagues in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.”
Kate Pike, CTSI lead officer for Tobacco and vaping, said the investment would support efforts to “protect consumers from the harms of illegal tobacco and vapes”.
She said: “Targeted activities, such as with Operation Joseph, has seen the removal of 1.19million illegal vapes in 2023-24 alone, protecting consumers from harm and showcasing the role local Trading Standards services play in tackling practices that cause economic detriment.”
Lord Michael Bichard, chair of National Trading Standards added: “While Trading Standards seized more than a million illegal vapes, 19 million counterfeit cigarettes and 5,103kg of illicit hand rolling tobacco last year, further action and resources are needed by enforcement bodies to disrupt supply and clamp down on the perpetrators.”
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