Inside the crackdown on illegal vapes in north-west England

Police forces and councils across north-west England have shut down vape shops and seized thousands of illegal items over the past year, according to new figures analyzed by the BBC. The BBC reported that more than 30 premises were closed due to their links to illegal vapes and illicit tobacco. The enforcement follows announcements by the Prime Minister outlining plans to give councils stronger powers to tackle rogue retailers, including extending closure orders. Authorities involved in the crackdown say the products can pose risks to public health and are frequently connected to wider criminal activity, not just sales of regulated consumer goods.