Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has been made of the potential connection between vape shops and illegal activity on high streets.

Government is aware that criminal groups are deliberately exploiting apparently legitimate businesses to conceal their activities, with money laundering playing a key role in allowing these networks to operate and profit. Addressing this threat is a priority for the Government and the £30 million crackdown announced earlier this year is deliberately targeting any cash intensive business on the high street involved in criminal activity, which might include those masquerading as legitimate barber shops, vape shops, mini-marts and sweet shops etc.

The Home Office’s new High Street Organised Crime Unit is working with national and local responders to strengthen the policy and operational response in tackling high street illegality. In particular, it is working closely with HMRC and DHSC which are boosting enforcement efforts against illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales. Under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, DHSC will consult on introducing a future retail licensing scheme for tobacco, vapes and nicotine products to strengthen enforcement and support law-abiding retailers, while tackling those who break the law.