Red tape and black markets
March 23, 2026 by thecritic.co.uk
Red tape and black markets
Vaping has recently been associated with several negative news stories, including a fire near Glasgow Central Station and allegations of misconduct involving vape shop owners in Dudley. There are also reports from Kent linking vape sharing to meningitis cases, although this connection is considered unproven. Experts suggest that the Glasgow fire was more likely caused by faulty wiring rather than e-cigarettes. While some issues, such as the exploitation of minors and underage vape sales, are serious and illegal, they are not caused by vaping itself. The main problem appears to be weak enforcement of existing laws related to tax evasion, counterfeit products, and illegal sales.
