Disposable vapes have been seized in three trading standards raids on Southampton shops.

Three vape shops were raided this morning by the city council's trading standards team, assisted by police.

Police and council teams attended two on Portswood Road, and one on Onslow Road, understood to be Vape City.

The city council says it seized a "substantial quantity" of illegal vapes and tobacco products.

The officers also seized illegal tobacco products found at the premises, which were either counterfeit or smuggled into the UK to evade duty (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

Vape City on Onslow Road was raided at around 10am by police and trading standards, an eyewitness said.

One eyewitness said: "I saw the police going in there and removing bags of vapes and stuff like that."

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: "This morning, the council’s trading standards service, working with the neighbourhood police team, visited two retail premises in Portswood Road and a third in Onslow Road and seized a substantial quantity of illegal vapes and tobacco products.

"From June 1 2025, it has been illegal to sell single-use vapes, and the council’s trading standards team are visiting businesses to ensure they comply with the law.

"The officers also seized illegal tobacco products found at the premises, which were either counterfeit or smuggled into the UK to evade duty."

READ MORE: CCTV released as man steals £7k of designer clothing from Westquay storage

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "PC Gillespie & PC Ridley-Stuart from Bevois NPT have assisted Southampton City Council Trading Standards this morning for a joint operation in relation to illegal tobacco and vapes. 

"They have attended three shops within their local beat area and seized a large quantity of tobacco and vapes.

"Just a reminder, the law has recently changed in relation to disposable vapes. Businesses cannot sell or supply all single-use vapes. 

"No hiding place is tall for PC Ridley-Stuart."