'Massive issue' - South Tyneside MP fires warning about 'illicit traders' flooding the streets
Kate Osborne MP has backed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which will look to address the challenges faced by high street shops and police.
South Tyneside MP, Kate Osborne has backed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which will look to address the challenges faced by high street shops and police.
Speaking after a round table event hosted by the MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, Osborne said the new bill tackles “a massive problem” for the region.
This bill will see a series of measures that will address the rise in practices concerning the sale of illegal tobacco and vape products, including the sale of products to children.
“It will crack down on the illicit trade because each vape will be individually recognisable” she said.
The meeting, set up by Osborne, was attended by Council members across South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland in addition to local police and shop owners.
Other aspects of the bill will restrict the sale of larger vape products and take certain flavours away from shop shelves to restrict their potential use by younger people.
Around £10m will also be spent on additional Trading Standards Officers.
“We really need the proper mechanism for reporting illicit trade” added Osborne, who has been a Member of Parliament in South Tyneside since 2019.
Speaking about the impact on local businesses, she added: “It’s going to help them by the fact it should take some of these illegal products off the market.
“It will hopefully make people think twice about what they are buying because the illegal vapes are badged in a particular way.”
“And of course you don’t know what’s in these vapes.
“We have a massive issue, particularly in the North East, with illicit trader vapes and tobacco.”
In addition to the health impact on those using them, illegal vapes are less safe for day-to-day storage. Osborne added: “We saw the big fire in Glasgow Central Station that was caused by the vape shop next door. They can literally set on fire when they’re in your pocket.”
“It has a bigger impact because the criminals who are selling these products don’t care who they’re selling them to.”
The bill is in the last stages of becoming law with a final consideration of amendments ongoing before Royal Assent.