UK Hotspots For Illicit Nicotine Products Exposed

• Hull City Council recorded the highest number of nicotine product seizure incidents in 2024/25, totalling 318 cases. 
• Across the last five-year period (2020/21–2024/25), Hull City Council remains the highest-ranked authority, with a total of 815 seizure incidents.
• Nicotine pouch experts outline concerns around the sale and distribution of illegal nicotine products in the UK. 

The table below shows which councils had the highest level of nicotine product seizures in 2024-2025.

At the top of the list is Hull City Council, with 318 seizure incidents recorded in 2024/25.

This accounts for almost two-fifths (39%) of its total seizures over the past five years. The council reports having seized more than 2.9 million illicit nicotine items during the year, including over 2.8 million cigarette sticks and 38,740 e-cigarettes and vapes.

The reported seizures took place across a range of locations, including newsagents and vehicles, and resulted in 24 enforcement actions.

Liverpool City Council ranks second, reporting 183 seizure incidents.

During the year, more than 46,300 illegal nicotine-containing products were seized, with all incidents taking place at convenience stores. These enforcement actions resulted in 30 closure orders being issued.

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council recorded 170 seizures over the same period, placing it third. More than 752,000 illicit nicotine items were seized from a range of premises, including off-licences and vape shops.

Items seized included 3,294 nicotine pouch products, 9.27kg of smokeless tobacco, 748,873 cigarette sticks and 239.03kg of hand-rolling tobacco.

While 2024/25 shows the most recent enforcement activity, the wider five-year dataset (2020/21–2024/25) reveals consistent geographic hotspots for nicotine product seizures across the UK. 

Hull City Council recorded the highest number of seizure incidents over the five years, with a total of 815.

The council reports having seized over 10.7 million illegal nicotine-containing products during the same period, with the highest annual total (almost 4.8 million items) recorded in 2022/23.

The number of seizure incidents has also increased year-on-year, rising from 38 in 2020/21 to 318 in 2024/25 (737% increase). 

Liverpool City Council ranks second, with 428 seizure incidents recorded between 2020/21 and 2024/25. This places it well ahead of most other councils and reinforces its position as a hotspot.

During this period, the council reported seizing more than 102,130 illicit nicotine items, including over 88,180 vapes. 

Lancashire County Council follows closely in third place, with 426 seizure incidents over the same period. The figures are broadly similar to Liverpool, highlighting a cluster of higher enforcement activity in the North West.

Since 2020/21, the council has seized approximately 255,225 illegal nicotine-containing products from a range of locations, including convenience stores, vape shops, barbers, petrol stations and private vehicles. 

Dr Marina Murphy, Senior Director, Scientific Affairs at Haypp, comments on the findings:

“Illicit nicotine-containing products are a growing issue in the UK. These can range from products that have not entered the UK through regular channels to products that do not meet required safety or labelling standards.

Because illicit products are manufactured or imported outside of regulated channels, consumers cannot be sure about the ingredients or nicotine levels, which can leave them exposed to poor-quality or unsafe products.

In some cases, there are clear warning signs that a product may be non-compliant. These can include inconsistent packaging, missing compliance information, or products being sold in unregulated environments such as car boot sales.

However, it can be very difficult to spot an illicit nicotine product. Improving public understanding of these indicators is an important step in helping raise awareness of the prevalence of non-compliant products, and make it easier for consumers to recognise and avoid them.”

Learn more in our how to spot fake nicotine pouches guide.