THURROCK Council's Trading Standards Officers have visited 179 local shops to give them advice on how to get ready for the single-use vape ban, which comes into force tomorrow (Sunday, 1 June".

The ban means that vapes that cannot be both recharged and refilled are banned from sale. It has been brought in to reduce waste and stop potentially dangerous batteries ending up as litter or in the waste, where they can cause fires.

Cllr Lynda Heath, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Constitutional and Civic Affairs, said: "Our Trading Standards team works hard to make sure that residents are kept safe from counterfeit and harmful products. In the last year they have seized thousands of illicit vaping and tobacco products, stopping them from reaching the public and potentially causing harm.

"The vast majority of the borough's shops care about their customer's safety and are committed to operating within the law and current guidance. By engaging with affected businesses in the months leading up to the single-use vape ban, we've supported them in preparing for the changes.

"We're confident that, thanks to this proactive approach, Thurrock's retailers are now well equipped for the ban and have access to the information and support they need."

More information about the single-use vapes ban can be found at: gov.uk/guidance/single-use-vapes-ban.