Tens of thousands of illegal vapes seized

Oldham council says it’s sending a ‘clear message’ in a clampdown on vape shops selling illegal tobacco products.

More than 37,000 banned disposable vapes were seized from a shop in the borough, the town hall has confirmed.

In a crack down on trading standards, a town hall taskforce, GMP, and Rochdale Council Trading Standards descended on a premises suspected of breaking trading laws last week. Officers repossessed 37,150 illegal nicotine products.

The visit was prompted by a tip-off from locals. Since a new law was introduced last year to ban disposable vapes, only reusable, refillable and rechargeable vapes can now be legally sold.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Cllr Elaine Taylor said: “Seizing more than 37,000 illegal disposable vapes sends a clear message: we will not tolerate businesses putting profit over the safety of our children and our communities.

“The disposable vape ban exists to protect young people and reduce the huge environmental impact these products create.”

The business can’t be named at this stage as it’s subject to an ongoing investigation, according to the council. The seized items will be used as evidence in a prosecution case, the council has confirmed.

Now the council is appealing for help from the public in a wider effort to stamp out illegal vapes. Residents are asked to email any tips about bad traders to tradingstandards@oldham.gov.uk.

The enforcement action comes as a number of boroughs across Greater Manchester clamp down on the banned products. As of June 2025 single-use vapes can no longer be sold online or in shops.

Retailers can be fined £200 if they’re caught selling them, and issued with an unlimited fine or two-year prison sentence for repeat offences.