The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) is sounding the alarm on the alarming trend of open vape devices being used to deliver illegal drugs such as Spice and THC.
The association is determined to clarify that this dangerous practice is in no way connected to the regulated nicotine vape industry, which has played a vital role in helping millions of adult smokers quit cigarettes.
Nicotine vaping was developed as a reduced-risk alternative to traditional smoking and has contributed significantly to the decline in smoking rates.
However, the misuse of open vape devices, which allow users to add their own e-liquids, has led to a concerning rise in the consumption of illegal substances such as Spice and the psychoactive chemical THC.
UKVIA Director General John Dunne warns:
“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.
“I am worried, however, that there are vape devices available from unofficial sources which may contain illegal drugs and that those who buy them may have no idea what is contained in these products.”
According to Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID) statistics, of the 12,418 young people under 18 in contact with alcohol and drug services between April 2022 and March 2023, cannabis was the most common substance (87%) for which young people sought treatment. While 10,837 young people reported having a problem with cannabis only 1,737 said they had a problem with nicotine.
The dangers of youth access to vapes containing spice and THC was recently highlighted by the BBC who spoke to a schoolboy who said he became hooked on spice after buying devices from a dealer he found on social media and met at a local train station.
These illegal substances can have severe health consequences, including anxiety, paranoia, and even suicidal thoughts.
According to NHS inform:
“Synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made drugs. Spice is a nickname for a substance containing one or more synthetic cannabinoids.
“Synthetic cannabinoids were originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. However, they are more harmful and unpredictable than cannabis. Due to their potency, there’s no safe way to take synthetic cannabinoids.”
The UKVIA is urging parents and educators to be vigilant and educate young people about the risks associated with obtaining vape products from unofficial sources.
The UKVIA is calling on the government to take immediate action to address this issue and has stated that a national education campaign is needed to raise awareness about the dangers of unregulated vape devices and to clarify the distinction between legal and illegal products.
John added:
“There have already been scare stories in the media with headlines such as: ‘Vapes confiscated in schools contain the zombie drug spice’ and this causes people to wrongly believe that the nicotine vape industry is responsible for this new trend.
“We need the government to step on now with a nationwide education campaign in traditional and social media to highlight the dangers of obtaining vape devices from unofficial sources and explaining the differences between legal and illegal vape products.
“Unless a clear distinction is made between the regulated vape market supplying adult smokers with products which are 95% less harmful than cigarettes and the unofficial supply of illegal products, then people will become wary of all vapes with the potential to drive smoking rates back up again.”
The UKVIA is committed to upholding the highest standards in the vaping sector and supports the introduction of a national vape licensing scheme. This scheme would generate substantial funding to combat illegal vape sales and deter rogue retailers from flouting the law.
By raising awareness of the dangers of misusing vape devices and promoting responsible vaping practices, the UKVIA aims to protect public health and ensure that the benefits of nicotine vaping as a smoking cessation tool are not undermined.
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