Impact of Illicit Tobacco Sales on the UK

The UK plans to outlaw disposable vapes on January 29, 2024, to combat the growth in youth vaping and protect children's health. They intend to limit vape tastes, use simple packaging, and adjust how vapes are exhibited in stores so that they do not appeal to minors. Nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive, with withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and headaches. The government will also enforce sanctions on establishments that illegally sell vapes to children. Vaping alternatives, like as nicotine pouches, will also be prohibited for children, who are becoming increasingly dependent on these highly addictive substitutes. It also outlines their ongoing commitment to reducing the trade in illicit tobacco, as well as combating and disrupting organized crime that fuels the illicit tobacco trade. It also emphasizes how illegal tobacco sales contribute to financing for bigger crime enterprises.