Tobacco company's report to trade standards officials sparks 'vaping war'

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British American Tobacco reported Chinese Elfbar, alleging it sold vapes containing more liquid nicotine than allowed, anti-tobacco groups accusing BAT of initiating a "vaping". war'

The ELFBAR 600 vape in the center of the row (

Image: document)

One of the world's largest tobacco companies has been accused of starting a war on vaping by reporting a smaller rival to trading standards officials.

British American Tobacco took action after China's Elfbar sold vapes containing more liquid nicotine than allowed.

Elfbar pulled the products from shelves in February after allegations were made in a Daily Mail article.

The company met with the regulator and said it would work with Trading Standards to ensure the withdrawal was carried out efficiently.

Weeks later, BAT claimed their own testing of the Elfbar 600 and Lost Mary vapes found 71 batches that broke the rules.

Anti-tobacco groups have accused BAT of starting a "vaping war" (

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Getty Images/iStockphoto)

BAT Chief Sam Millicheap wrote to Trading Standards: "Hope you find this information useful for any enforcement action."

But a trading standards official told us he had taken no action, adding: "The real problems are the illegal products."

Elfbar says BAT's complaint came after it rejected a takeover bid.