Vape sniffer dog discovers illegal products being sold in three Ayrshire shops

Three agencies joined forces to help tackle the growing problem of vapes, with three stores targeted in a blitz.

In a major united approach, Police Scotland Ayrshire teamed up with North Ayrshire Trading Standards, and a Consumer Protection dog unit teamed up on April 25, tackling illegal nicotine vapour product retailers.

Boo - the hero of the day, is a Labrador/German Wirehaired Pointer - specifically trained to sniff out nicotine produce.

Five vape stockists across North Ayrshire were visited.

Two Irvine stores and a Saltcoats premises were found to be selling illicit nicotine products. These items were seized as our picture shows.

Some of these items were very well concealed - but were found in seconds by Boo and his professional dog handler.

Counterfeit vapes usually contain dangerously high levels of nicotine, and often do not meet UK standards - failing in child resistant packaging, leakage protection and other major health and safety flaws.

Some of the disposable vape products seized contained a nicotine equivalent of over 800 cigarettes – over 16 times the UK legal limit.

Locals that have information on the illegal sale of tobacco or vape products, can report report concerns to Police Scotland on 101, to the local authority Trading Standards department, or to Crimestoppers Scotland anonymously on 0800 555111.

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