Just under 185,000 illegal vapes were seized in the first quarter of the year

Almost 185,000 illegal electronic cigarettes and liquids were seized in January, February, and March. The people who were caught selling the products are fined and forced to pay for the costs of destroying the items. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) have been allowed to seize vapes and e-liquids since the beginning of the year.

Over 42,000 illegal vapes were found by the NVWA in a storage space in Barendrecht. Inspectors wanted to search the storage space because the owner of several stores in various parts of the country was suspected to be using it. The owner was forced to unlock the door and show the inspectors the illegal stash after they had spotted it through a hole between the door and the ceiling.

A storage space in Noord-Holland had over 27,000 illegal electronic cigarettes. Inspectors had discovered this after seeing that the vapes were being sold in several stores. The owner of the storage space would not open the door resutling in a police locksmith unlocking it. 66,000 illegal vapes were seized throughout the country in January.

The NVWA did not report the fees that the perpetrators have to pay, but it can rise up to 22,500 euros if the culprit has had several offenses.

Electronic cigarettes are only allowed to taste like tobacco. Other flavors are banned. This is to prevent young people from being tempted into smoking by the sweet flavors.