ALMOST 2,000 illegal single-use vapes have been removed from five businesses across north Cumbria since the beginning of the year. 

Cumberland Trading Standards Service has removed the devices following checks carried out across January and February in the Whitehaven and Carlisle areas. 

The businesses were checked whether the devices were compliant with the strict requirements of the Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in heavy fines. 

Officers found a number of the premises visited were selling vapes which were 5 times the legal capacity limit. 

As the vape ban looms, illegal and oversized vaping products are growing in popularity.

Cumberland councillor and portfolio holder for licensing and regulatory services,  Bob Kelly, said: “These outstanding results are a testament to the continuous hard work of Cumberland Council’s Trading Standards team. 

“I’m delighted to see that the team are removing illegal, unregulated vaping products from vape stores throughout Cumberland – protecting the health and wellbeing of Cumberland residents by removing potentially harmful products from the market”.