Call to help clamp down on illegal vape sales

RESIDENTS in Dumfries and Galloway residents are being urged to help shut down supplies of illegal vapes across the region. Moniaive shopkeeper Graham Watson, pictured, who is president of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF), has issued a plea for people who use vaping products not to buy from illicit sellers. And he is urging people to share details of those who they suspect are selling goods illegally with trading standards, police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. Single-use vapes became outlawed across the United Kingdom on June 1, when all stock needed to be immediately removed from shop shelves. Graham, who owns Watsons Grocers, this week said: “As an organisation, we have significant concerns that an unintended consequence of the ban will be an increase in the illegal sale of vaping products. “It is harmful in so many ways for illegal and unregulated products to be circulating. “With all of that in mind, we are asking people not to buy from illicit sellers and to share any information they have with those responsible for them to the authorities. If they do not have the information, they cannot act against them.”