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The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) have raised their concerns regarding the increased circulation of illicit vapes containing illegal substances and have called on the government for urgent action to be taken to protect young people.

They emphasise that the regulated nicotine vape industry is in no way affiliated with the illegal ‘trend’ of using these open vape devices as a delivery system for illegal substances, such as synthetic cannabinoids, e.g. Spice, and the psychoactive chemical THC.

According to NHS Inform: “Synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made drugs. ‘Spice’ is a nickname for a substance containing one or more synthetic cannabinoids, which were originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. However, they are more harmful and unpredictable than cannabis.”

Symptoms Include:

• Inability to move
• Dizziness
• Difficultly breathing
• Chest pain
• Extreme anxiety
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Acute kidney injury
• Paranoia
• Suicidal thoughts

John Dunne, Director General of UKVIA said:

“Consumers can feel confident that when they buy regulated products from any reputable vape supplier, that they will be getting nicotine vapes which are designed to help them transition from cigarettes.”

On the contrary, Dunne warns, that these illicit devices are available from unofficial sources, posing risk to consumers who may have no idea of the illegal substances contained.

He cited statistics from the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID) found that from a large number of young people under 18 seeking treatment from alcohol and drug services between April 2022 and March 2023, cannabis was the most common substance (87%). Similarly, in 2019 there was a reported outbreak of EVALI – lung injury allegedly associated with vaping – which was found out to be caused by illicit THC containing products.

School Children Hooked on Illicit Vapes

Recently, the BBC highlighted the danger of young people having access to illicit vape devices containing illegal substances Spice and THC. A 14-year old schoolboy told the BBC of how he first tried Spice, with the belief that it was THC. “I became addicted and I felt like a drug addict, I realised I was doing it to feel normal and regulated.”

He obtained his fix from a dealer he sourced on social media, who he would meet up with at a nearby train station. He said: “I knew it was bad for me but I was in a vicious cycle of needing to get more and as soon as I’d finished one I’d get another one – even when I’d get one confiscated, I’d immediately be set on getting another one.”

Prof Chris Pudney, from the University of Bath’s Department of Life Sciences conducted an investigation on the use of Spice vapes in schools. Using a portable device that can instantly detect synthetic drugs, Pudney and his team found that out of almost 600 confiscated vapes which they collected from 38 schools across England, one in six contained Spice, whilst one in 100 contained THC.

“Teenagers think they are purchasing vapes or vape fluid containing THC or nicotine when, in fact, they are laced with Spice. We know children can have cardiac arrests when they smoke Spice, and I believe some have come quite close to death. Headteachers are telling me pupils are collapsing in the halls and ending up with long stays in intensive care.”

– Prof. Chris Pudney

Vapes Spiked with Nitazenes

Earlier this year, a number of children required urgent medical attention after using illicit devices laced with illegal substances, including Spice , with one young person needing immediate treatment with Naloxone – a medication used to treat opiate overdoses.

Joint Director of Public Health for the South Tees area, Mark Adams, said: “Young people across the UK have been falling seriously ill after inhaling drugs like Spice and Nitazenes, which is a synthetic drug similar to heroin, but many times more potent. The truth is these illegal devices can kill.”

Dunne urges the government to step in with immediate and necessary action to highlight the dangers of purchasing illicit vape devices from unofficial sources and to differentiate between legal and illegal vaping products through nationwide educational campaigns.