# Towns and cities ‘infected’ by criminal business fronts, Government warned

By Jamie Strachan — 2026-01-21

Jamie Strachan, operations director at VPZ | The Vaping Specialist, said: “We are deeply concerned by these comments that risk unfairly tarring legitimate vape retailers with criminality.

“We pay business rates, comply with HMRC, and follow strict trading standards and age-of-sale laws.

“We fully support tough enforcement against any business – in any sector – involved in money laundering, tax evasion or organised crime.

“Criminal operators should be shut down. They damage communities and undercut responsible businesses.

“But it is wrong and unhelpful to suggest that vape shops as a whole are part of the problem.

“The UK vaping sector plays a crucial role in helping adult smokers quit cigarettes and improving public health.

“Specialist retailers provide advice, product knowledge and compliance that illegal sellers simply do not.”

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