Illegal vapes are being brazenly sold in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s constituency, an investigation has found.

Mark Oates, the founder of vaping campaign group We Vape, visited Holborn and St Pancras on September 5 to raise awareness about the sale of illegal vapes.

He claims that during his visit he was able to buy four vapes of either 5% nicotine strength (two and a half times the legal limit) or with illegally sized e-liquid tanks within 40 minutes.

Five illegal vapes were reportedly purchased in Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s Tottenham constituency in just a quarter of an hour.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s Ilford North constituency yielded six illegal vapes in ten minutes.

Mr Oates said: "I have been able to stroll into shop after shop, ask for the strongest vape and be sold something already illegal, throughout the day.

“Most traders barely hide it – they are so emboldened by the lack of enforcement by Trading Standards.”

It comes amid Government plans to put a Tobacco and Vapes Bill back on the legislative agenda, which aims to impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.

But Mr Oates has claimed that these new measures will be “meaningless” and fuel further black market sales.

Instead, he called on the Government to introduce a self-funding licensing system where retailers have to pay a fee to sell vapes, with the money then used to fund Trading Standards.

Mr Oates said: “Licensing of vape retailers would ensure those selling illegal vapes or caught selling to children could be stripped of their licence.

"Adding these measures to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill would ensure vaping remains an effective way to quit smoking while protecting vapers, retailers and parents.”

Mr Oates added that there should also be a legal requirement for all vapes to be tested and certified as compliant with UK law before they are allowed to go on sale.

He also urged the Government not to ban flavours that have been shown to help smokers switch from cigarettes.

The vaping campaigner said: "Removing the product does not remove the demand and dealers are chomping at the bit at further bans.

“Labour must understand vaping is a vital tool in helping people stop smoking, but illegal products and child-access must be stopped by enforcement of the laws we already have."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Manufacturers and producers have a responsibility to ensure that vapes are safe to use and fully comply with regulations.

“Local enforcement agencies are taking strong action to tackle illicit vapes.

“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will further strengthen enforcement activity, allowing Trading Standards to take swifter action to enforce the law, including on non-compliant products, and closing loopholes.”