Illegal tobacco and vapes

Trading Standards works hard to keep our community safe.

One of our priorities is to prevent the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and vapes in Darlington.

How to report illegal tobacco and vapes

If you have any information about illegal tobacco or vape sales or storage in Darlington, report it to Trading Standards using the online form.

All submissions are anonymous.

You can leave contact details if you would like to receive updates.

You do not need to register to submit the form.

You can also make an illegal tobacco report using the:

Keep it Out website [external link]
illegal tobacco hotline 0300 9990000

Basic information

Please give details of the premises and location of the storage, supply or sale *

Tell us what you know *

This form is anonymous but if you are happy for us to contact you, should we need further information or to give you an update, please provide a phone number or email address.

Your Details

What is Illegal Tobacco?

Counterfeit

These products, which are produced and supplied illegally, are copies of well-known brands.

Non-Duty Paid

These are genuine, legally manufactured products that have been smuggled into the UK, no duty having been paid, to be supplied illegally.

Cheap Whites/Illegal Whites

These carry brand names that are not recognised brands normally found on general sale in the UK. No duty will have been paid and they have no legal market in the UK.

What are illegal vapes?

The safety of vaping products (vapes, refill containers and e-liquids) and age restrictions on their sale and supply are tightly controlled by the law. It is also illegal for businesses to offer to sell, stock or supply single-use (disposable) vapes. If the vaping products do not meet the requirements that the law sets out, they are illegal. If businesses sell non-compliant vaping products, sell to under-18s or sell disposable vapes, they are trading illegally.

Why are illegal tobacco and vapes a problem?

It is vitally important to stop the illegal tobacco and vapes trade because they are linked to organised criminal activity.

Illegal tobacco sabotages efforts to reduce smoking and is often available at cheaper prices, undermining the effectiveness of taxation and making it harder for smokers to quit and easier for ex-smokers to relapse. Illegal vaping products may not meet the minimum standards for safety and quality and disposable vapes may be harmful to the environment.

Those who supply illegal tobacco and vapes are not concerned about the age of their customers and often sell to under-age children. This inevitably makes it easier for children to start smoking or vaping and enables them them to become hooked and a young age.

Illegal Tobacco and Vapes