Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of Ofcom’s enforcement powers to tackle the online sale of illegal drugs in vape liquids.

The Online Safety Act (OSA) places duties on services to reduce the risk that they are used to facilitate illegal sales of controlled drugs. DSIT has regular discussions with Ofcom regarding the implementation of the OSA’s duties. Where providers fail to comply with these duties, Ofcom can issue fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18m, whichever is higher. The Act establishes that the Secretary of State must review the functioning of the Act within 2-5 years of the regime taking effect. This will include reviewing the adequacy of Ofcom's enforcement powers.