Illicit trade
Investigate illegal nicotine markets, smuggling, counterfeiting and enforcement. Coverage tests claims about illicit trade and distinguishes unlawful activity from legal cross-border purchasing.
Countries →All coverage
Australia’s vape crackdown fails as black market surges
Australia’s crackdown on vaping is failing, with new official figures showing only a trickle of legal sales through pharmacies while the black market thrives.
Teenagers turn to black market for vapes
Most under-18s who vape are sourcing vapes through the black market, new polling suggests - a warning sign that restrictions and bans are failing to keep products out of young people’s hands.
India’s policy think tank calls for vape ban change as illicit youth use surges
India’s top policy think tank calls for a vape ban review amid growing evidence of illicit use among young people.
Illegal vape seizures soar as UK disposable ban risks fuelling black market
Seizures of illegal vapes are soaring in the UK, sparking warnings the disposable ban is driving more people into the black market.
