# Regulation of illegal tobacco and vaping sales > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/regulation-of-illegal-tobacco-and-vaping-sales > Updated: 2026-09-02T12:43:37.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. Authorities in Spain and the United States have taken action against the illicit sale of tobacco and vaping products. In Alcalá del Valle, Spain, the Guardia Civil dismantled an operation run out of a candy store, seizing hundreds of tobacco packs and vapers, many of which lacked health authorization. Investigations indicated that tobacco was being sold manually in violation of restrictions, and a local official tobacco shop was reported for supplying the illicit stock. In the United States, research published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that over 69% of e-cigarette sales are illicit. CDC data indicates that while manufacturers require FDA marketing authorization, only 39 products held such approval as of late 2025. The unauthorized market is largely driven by flavored disposable vapes; while 93.1% of tobacco-flavored products were authorized, none of the fruit, candy, or mint flavors had received authorization. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: Spanish police crack down on illegal street vending Spanish local police have conducted raids against illegal street vending in Castellón and El Puerto, seizing over 1,000 unauthorized products to protect legal commerce and public safety. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-police-crack-down-on-illegal-street-vending ### 2026-08-13: Authorities crack down on illegal tobacco and vaping sales in Spain and the US Authorities in Spain dismantled an illegal tobacco and vaping shop in Alcalá del Valle, while a US report reveals that over 69% of e-cigarette sales are illicit and unauthorized. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/authorities-crack-down-on-illegal-tobacco-and-vaping-sales-in-spain-and-the-us --- Cite as: Regulation of illegal tobacco and vaping sales. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/regulation-of-illegal-tobacco-and-vaping-sales