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Austerity Cripples Fight Against Underage Vaping
15 Sep
Summary
- Budget cuts have severely impacted trading standards enforcement capabilities.
- Nearly one-fifth of teenagers have reportedly tried vaping.
- Illegal vape sales occurred in over a third of test purchases.
Trading standards enforcement is critically undermined by years of budget cuts, hindering efforts to stop retailers selling vapes to children. As of September 15, 2026, this situation presents a significant challenge.
Official figures indicate that nearly one-fifth of individuals aged 11 to 17 have experimented with vaping. A review by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute revealed that illegal sales occurred in 33% of 422 test purchases involving disposable vapes. This demonstrates a substantial compliance issue.
John Herriman, Chief Executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, stated that regulatory services have seen significant reductions. Funding for trading standards has been cut by 39%, leading to reduced staffing and varied enforcement capabilities across different areas. This under-resourcing is seen as a key factor enabling organised crime's presence in retail.
The recent Tobacco and Vapes Act, passed in May 2026, introduced a mandatory licensing scheme for vape retailers. However, the effectiveness of this legislation hinges on the ability of the under-resourced trading standards teams to monitor and enforce it.
