An investigation by a regional daily reporter has revealed illegal ‘supersize’ vapes on sale over the counter in her patch.

Northern Echo reporter Phoebe Abruzzese visited three stores in Durham City Centre and, within 14 minutes, was able to buy devices which were either illegal, unregulated, or untraceable according to regulators.

UK law states that disposable vapes must not hold more than two millilitres of liquid or contain more than 20 milligrams of nicotine per millilitre of e-liquid.

However one of the devices contained a total of 24ml of vape oil – 12 times bigger than the legal limit.

Other devices she was able to purchase had the wrong health warnings, or that had a mystery nicotine substitute, HRI, which has “no UK traceability.”

The story made a splash for today’s edition and is now set to be raised in Parliament by Darlington MP Peter Gibson.

Echo editor Gavin Foster told HTFP: “What this investigation uncovered is extremely concerning. Vapes are supposed to be strictly licensed and regulated like cigarettes – but what Phoebe Abruzzese uncovered could not be further away from that.

“Illegal ‘super size’ vapes with high ‘puff count’ being blatantly displayed and advertised in stores – some 12-times the legal limit. Other stores selling items not on any advisory list and unrecognisable or known by trading watchdogs.

“We know that illegal vapes have a significant impact on health, but there are far more serious implications to consider.

“They are often targeted at young people and we know too that they are often sold by those involved in organised crime and we know too that they also being used to groom children both to sell them, and ferry them and in the most extreme cases for sexual exploitation.

“Illegal sales also impact hugely on decent traders who stick to the law. But the ease at which our reporter was able to get hold of illegal and unchecked vapes clearly shows that greater control is needed and action needs to be taken now.

“The issues is set to be debated in Parliament next week secured by Darlington MP Peter Gibson where he will highlight what we uncovered. Hopefully this may lead to action to tackle this smoking gun. The journalism and probe by Phoebe to highlight this issue should applauded.”