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Tag: UK

  • UK Crackdown Seizes Millions in Illegal Cigarettes, Tobacco, and Vapes

    UK Crackdown Seizes Millions in Illegal Cigarettes, Tobacco, and Vapes

    More than 4.5 million illegal cigarettes, 600kg of illicit tobacco, and 111,000 illegal vapes have been seized in a nationwide crackdown on criminal activity across UK high streets, officials said. The month-long Operation Machinize 2, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) with police forces, HMRC, and Trading Standards, targeted businesses being used as fronts for money laundering and illicit sales. Authorities raided 2,734 premises, made 924 arrests, and seized £10.7 million in suspected criminal proceeds.

    Officials said the operation disrupted organized crime networks exploiting small shops for tax evasion and the sale of counterfeit goods. The NCA estimated the haul represents £3.4 million in unpaid duty, while counterfeit and harmful products worth £2.7 million were destroyed.

    Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the coordinated effort was part of a broader drive to “dismantle criminal networks and protect honest business owners,” while NCA officials hailed the operation as a “new standard” in joint enforcement.

    The first phase of Operation Machinize in April yielded far smaller seizures, highlighting the growing scale of illicit trade on UK high streets.

  • UK Public Strongly Backs Regulation of Nicotine Pouches, Survey Finds

    UK Public Strongly Backs Regulation of Nicotine Pouches, Survey Finds

    A new survey from Northerner UK found that the British public overwhelmingly supports stricter regulation of nicotine pouches and stronger safeguards for young people overall, as the government prepares to advance the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. According to the survey, 84% of respondents want the government to introduce new rules governing nicotine pouches, aligning their regulation with that of cigarettes and vapes. A further 82% support a licensing scheme for vape sales, while 81% back age restrictions on social media, and 75% approve of mandatory ID checks for online pornography.

    Markus Lindblad, head of external affairs at Northerner, said the results show strong alignment between the public, government, and responsible retailers.

    “At the moment, a legal loophole means that there is no minimum age limit on the purchase of nicotine pouches, and this has been exploited by unscrupulous retailers,” Lindblad said. “This survey shows that the public wants action, and there is strong support for the government’s move to close this loophole through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.”

  • Vaping Overtakes Smoking in UK

    Vaping Overtakes Smoking in UK

    For the first time, the number of adults in Britain who vape has surpassed those who smoke traditional cigarettes, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday (November 4). The ONS reported that 10% of adults (around 5.4 million people) in Great Britain used e-cigarettes daily or occasionally in 2024, overtaking the 9.1% (4.9 million) who still smoke. Cigarette smoking has now fallen to its lowest level since records began in 2011.

    Public health specialist Professor John Ashton said “many people are vaping but haven’t stopped smoking.” He cautioned that the long-term effects of vaping remain unknown and that youth uptake is becoming a growing concern. While smoking rates among young adults (18–24) have plummeted from 25.7% in 2011 to 8.1% in 2024, vaping remains most common in the 16–24 age group at 13%.

  • Imperial Encourages Retailers to Respond to UK Nicotine Survey

    Imperial Encourages Retailers to Respond to UK Nicotine Survey

    Imperial Brands is urging UK retailers to contribute to the government’s call for evidence on the proposed retail licensing scheme for nicotine products in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The consultation, launched by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), will close December 3.

    Andrew Malm, Imperial’s UK market manager, emphasized that the survey is a key opportunity for retailers to shape policy, ensure fair competition, and address challenges such as illicit sales and age verification compliance. The proposed licensing scheme aims to regulate the sale of tobacco and nicotine products, protecting both legitimate retailers and consumers.

    Retailers can participate by completing the online survey, providing their insights to influence the design and implementation of the new regulatory framework.

  • JTI UK Launches Strongest Nordic Spirit Nicotine Pouch Yet

    JTI UK Launches Strongest Nordic Spirit Nicotine Pouch Yet

    JTI UK announced the launch of its most potent nicotine pouch to date, Nordic Spirit Frosty Mint Max (17mg), which is now available via JTI360 and key multiple grocers, with wider rollout to independent and symbol retailers from November 3. Priced at £6.50 RRP, JTI said it is targeting the fast-growing “max strength” segment, which now accounts for 16% of nicotine pouch sales in the Independents & Symbols channel.

    The new variant debuts Nordic Spirit’s refreshed branding, featuring darker tones and bold design cues to emphasize strength. With the UK nicotine pouch market valued at £15.9 million per month, JTI says the product will help retailers meet rising demand for high-strength options.

  • UK Set to Miss 2030 Smoke-Free Target, New Analysis Finds

    UK Set to Miss 2030 Smoke-Free Target, New Analysis Finds

    A new analysis by Haypp, in collaboration with Swedish economist David Sundén, shows that the UK is unlikely to achieve its goal of being smoke-free by 2030 if current trends continue. Based on smoking rate declines across the UK and EU, England is projected to reach smoke-free status in 2032, Wales in 2033, Scotland in 2034, and Northern Ireland not until 2037. The study defines smoke-free as having less than 5% of the population smoking daily, in line with the World Health Organization criteria.

    The report highlights Sweden as a global leader, set to become smoke-free on October 25, 2025, driven by high cigarette taxes and widespread access to alternatives like snus and nicotine pouches. In comparison, the UK’s overall daily smoking rate remains at 11.9%, with rates among young adults (18–24) at 9.8%. Sweden’s young-adult smoking rate is 2.3%.

    Sundén notes that while alternatives such as vapes have helped reduce smoking, the rate of decline is slowing and some regions have even seen slight increases over the past year.

    The analysis also points to the potential public health impact if the UK adopted Sweden’s harm reduction strategies. Markus Lindblad, Haypp’s Director of External Affairs, emphasized that the UK has an opportunity to follow Sweden’s approach, using alternative nicotine products to accelerate the transition away from combustible tobacco as Parliament considers the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

  • UK Vape Ban Fails as Black Market Booms, New Report Reveals

    UK Vape Ban Fails as Black Market Booms, New Report Reveals

    A new report from Haypp shows that the UK’s disposable vape ban, introduced in June 2025, is failing to curb use, with 62.5% of vapers still using the banned devices. Among 25–34-year-olds, that figure jumps to 82%, while 35% of disposable vape users admit they are still buying them, pointing to a widespread black market.

    The data reveals that illegal sales are not limited to underground sellers, with 55% of users buying disposable vapes from local corner shops, 37% from vape stores, and 34% from supermarkets, and 28% online. Experts warn that this shows a thriving illicit trade involving mainstream retailers, making enforcement increasingly difficult.

    Safety concerns are also growing, as 78.5% of users report using vapes purchased before the ban, meaning that products may now be unstable due to aging batteries and poor storage. Haypp’s Markus Lindblad said the findings prove “the ban is not yet working as expected” and welcomed government plans for a retail licensing scheme to help tackle the illegal market.

  • Nearly Half of Gen Z Think UK is Becoming a ‘Nanny State’

    Nearly Half of Gen Z Think UK is Becoming a ‘Nanny State’

    New research suggests growing public unease in the UK with what many see as government overreach into private lives. According to data released today (October 2), 41% of Brits believe the UK is turning into a “nanny state.” The survey, commissioned by online nicotine pouch retailer Northerner, comes as debates intensify over policies such as junk food advertising bans, restrictions on vaping, and the rollout of digital ID cards.

    “It is a fine line between protecting and controlling the public, and it seems many people feel this line is being crossed,” said Markus Lindblad, head of legal and external affairs at Northerner. “Regulations like calorie labelling on menus or the disposable vape ban have not delivered the expected results. If the public does not see any real improvement to their lives from these additional regulations, then it is reasonable for them to question whether the UK is becoming a nanny state.”

    One of the more surprising findings Northerner researchers discovered was the generational divide on the question. Typically, older people tend to be more conservative and younger people more progressive; however, in this survey, 47% of Gen Z respondents  (aged 18 to 24) agreed the UK is becoming a nanny state, compared to just 32% of those aged 45 to 54. This shift, researchers say, suggests fatigue among younger voters, some of whom are increasingly open to alternatives like Reform UK, a party campaigning against lifestyle regulation.

    The UK currently ranks seventh in the 2025 Nanny State Index, placing it in the “least free” category among 29 countries for policies on food, alcohol, smoking, and vaping.

  • U.K. Vape Industry Warns ‘Pride in Place’ Plan Could Backfire

    U.K. Vape Industry Warns ‘Pride in Place’ Plan Could Backfire

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has branded Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new Pride in Place program “seriously flawed,” warning it risks driving ex-smokers back to cigarettes and fueling the illicit vape trade. The plan would allow residents to block new vape shops on their high streets. UKVIA Director General John Dunne said this wrongly equates specialist vape stores with betting shops and other “unwanted” outlets, despite vaping being “the most effective method of helping adult smokers quit.”

    Instead, UKVIA is urging the government to introduce a compulsory vape retail licensing scheme, funded by retailers, to keep vapes out of unsuitable venues and support tougher enforcement against rogue sellers. Dunne argued that blocking legitimate vape stores undermines the U.K.’s smoke-free targets and risks strengthening the black market.

  • Study: 78M Cigarettes Smoked Daily in Britain

    Study: 78M Cigarettes Smoked Daily in Britain

    More than 78 million cigarettes are smoked each day across England, Wales, and Scotland—equating to roughly 900 every second—according to a new study by University College London (UCL), funded by Cancer Research UK.

    The study, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, highlights sharp inequalities in smoking habits. People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds smoke more—11 cigarettes a day on average—compared to 9.4 among more affluent groups. Regionally, smokers in the North East and Scotland top the charts with 11.7 cigarettes per day, while Londoners smoke the fewest at 8.4.

    Despite falling smoking rates—from 18.8% in 2013 to 11.9% in 2023—Britain is unlikely to meet its smokefree targets. England, aiming for 5% prevalence by 2030, is projected to hit that mark by 2039. Scotland may not reach it until the late 2040s.