Authorities in Denmark said they found illegal tobacco, nicotine, and vape items for sale in 21 out of 22 convenience stores in Copenhagen during a recent round of inspections (called “control visits”) with items reportedly hidden behind paneling, among parcels, behind shelves, and in used chocolate boxes. The products found during the raids are banned because they do not comply with Danish sales laws or because duty had not been paid on them, the Health Ministry said.
“It makes me angry that so many convenience stores are breaking the law and selling illegal nicotine products. It’s completely unacceptable,” Health Minister Sophie Løhde said. “They are gambling with the health of children and young people when they sell illegal vapes or e-cigarettes that taste like candy but are filled with high amounts of nicotine and can also contain narcotic substances. This has to be stopped.”
Eighteen of the violators have been fined by at least one authority, while two stores were banned from selling food, according to the ministry.
“The large-scale operation by authorities in Copenhagen kiosks has revealed massive problems and rule-breaking,” Tax Minister Rasmus Stoklund said. “This is completely unfair on the rest of us. It must be stopped, and we need to crack down hard on people who break the rules.”
