More than 45,000 illegal vapes have been seized by Sheffield City Council over the past six years, with an estimated value of over £500,000.
The findings, revealed in a Freedom of Information request by Midland Health, reported by the Sheffield Star, come amid growing concerns over counterfeit vaping products. Tests on seized items have identified dangerous metals, including nickel, copper and cadmium, raising further serious health concerns among experts.
A recent spike in stores selling illegal smoking products has caused a drop in sales for legitimate suppliers.
Megan Riley, works at Only the Vape on Glossop Road, said rogue traders are undercutting trusted retailers.
She said: “The vape market is already oversaturated, and many sellers are offering illegal products because they’re cheaper.
“That directly affects us, because people would rather buy that than pay for the authentic ones.”
Counterfeit vapes are often illegally imported and not subject to UK safety testing, raising serious health concerns.
“You don’t know what’s in them,” Miss Riley said. “They’re not batch-tested in the UK, so they can contain harmful chemicals.”
She believes that more public awareness is needed.
She said: “I don’t think people realise how harmful they can be. Many of our products are made in the UK, whereas illegal ones are often produced in back warehouses overseas and you don’t know what’s in them.”
Some counterfeit vapes have been linked to conditions such as Popcorn Lung, further damaging confidence in the industry and raising wider concerns about consumer safety.
”It makes the whole industry look ridiculous,” Miss Riley said. “People lose trust in the industry, which damages legitimate businesses.”
In October 2025, new government regulations made it a legal requirement for retailers to hold a licence to sell vapes, tobacco and nicotine products, in an effort to tackle illegal sales.
Miss Riley welcomed the changes.
She said: “I think the way the government are cracking down on counterfeit products is a good thing, I’ve seen several vape shops in Sheffield close down due to selling illegal products, and I think that’s a positive step.”
At the time, Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the policy aimed to “close a major gap in the law” and strengthen regulation of the sector.