Vienna police and customs seize 327 illegal e‑cigarettes from city shop

On May 28, 2026, the Austrian enforcement team Gruppe Sofortmaßnahmen, together with the customs office, the Austrian labour market service (AMS), the Austrian health insurance fund (ÖGK) and Vienna police, carried out a focused inspection of eight businesses in the districts of Wieden, Margareten and Mariahilf. Inspectors found a large stock of illegal electronic cigarettes in a mobile‑phone shop in Margareten. All 327 devices exceeded the EU‑allowed liquid‑tank capacity and the maximum number of permitted puffs, making them unlawful products.

The operation also uncovered five individuals who appeared to be employed illegally. The AMS filed a report under the unemployment‑insurance law, the ÖGK submitted five additional complaints, and city authorities lodged nine further reports. Walter Hillerer, leader of Gruppe Sofortmaßnahmen, said: “When it comes to black‑labour, tax fraud or violations of youth‑ and non‑smoker protection rules, such as the illegal trade in e‑cigarettes, we act with the full force of the law.”